Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that Sean Pepe, 39, of East Haven, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Omar A. Williams in Hartford to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for narcotics distribution and firearm possession offences.
According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from an investigation by the FBI’s New Haven Safe Streets/Gang Task Force and the DEA New Haven’s Tactical Diversion Squad targeting the manufacture and distribution of counterfeit oxycodone tablets containing fentanyl and counterfeit Adderall tablets containing methamphetamine, and the distribution of heroin and cocaine, in the New Haven area.
The investigation, which included court-authorised wiretaps, physical and electronic surveillance, and traffic stops and searches, revealed that Willis Taylor of West Haven coordinated the manufacture of counterfeit pills, which he distributed to Pepe and others for further distribution. In addition, the investigation revealed the distribution of other controlled substances, and Pepe also sold cocaine to customers.
On November 18, 2022, a court-authorised search of Pepe’s East Haven residence revealed more than 300 counterfeit fentanyl pills, nearly 75 grams of fentanyl powder, distribution quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine, a machine used to make counterfeit pills (“pill press”), a hydraulic press used to mould drugs into kilogram bricks, three firearms, body armour, numerous rounds of ammunition, more than $86,000 in cash, and a Rolex watch.
At the time of the search, Pepe was on state probation after being convicted in September 2021 of illegal possession of a weapon in a motor vehicle.
Pepe has been detained since December 2022.
On June 12, 2024, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 40 grams or more of fentanyl and 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.
Pepe, Taylor, and 12 others were federally charged as a result of this investigation. Taylor has pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.
Prior to the federal investigation, on October 23, 2021, a 36-year-old woman died of a fentanyl overdose at Pepe’s residence.
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