A federal judge in Bridgeport sentenced a New London man to nearly six years in prison for his role in a cocaine distribution ring in the region.

Forest Hempstead's 70-month prison term will be followed by four years of supervised release.

His conviction stemmed from an investigation by the Connecticut State Police Statewide Narcotics Task Force - East, which found that Hempstead, 32, had purchased a kilogram of cocaine from sources in New York and transported it into Connecticut, where it was brought to the Norwich apartment of John "Soy" King.

King, along with Sydney "Fatz" Jackson, regularly transported narcotics from New York to Connecticut, police said. King used his East Main Street apartment to store, process and package narcotics for street sale by dealers in Groton, Norwich, New London, Stonington, Westerly and other communities.

The kilogram of cocaine intended for Hempstead was found in a vehicle belonging to King outside his Norwich apartment, police said.

A federal grand jury in Hartford on Nov. 24, 2015, returned a 35-count indictment charging 13 defendants, including Hempstead, with various narcotics trafficking and firearm offenses, while 20 individuals were prosecuted on state charges.

On Dec. 9, 2015, Hempstead was arrested and on Feb. 21, 2017, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. His previous criminal record includes state drug and weapons convictions and a 2011 federal conviction for distributing crack cocaine.

Both King and Jackson already have pleaded guilty and were each sentenced to 10 years in federal prison.

The investigation was carried out by the Connecticut State Police Statewide Narcotics Task Force - East, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Marshals Service, Connecticut Department of Correction and Groton City, Groton Town, New London, Norwich and Waterford police departments.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dave Vatti and Joseph Vizcarrondo, with the assistance of Senior Assistant State's Attorneys Paul Narducci and David Smith of the State's Attorney's Office for the Judicial District of New London, prosecuted the case.