Seven New Haven-Area Men Charged after FBI Task Force Investigation into Heroin and Crack Distribution

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Patricia M. Ferrick, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, today announced that on June 24, 2015, a grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment charging the following individuals with federal narcotics offenses:

JEFFREY SMITH, aka “J-Money,” 21, of New Haven
ROBBIE SMITH, aka “Lil Rob,” 26, of New Haven
SEAN LONDON, 22, of New Haven
ROBERT OATHOUT, 35, of Branford
JASON LANGLEY, 39, of East Haven
HARRY ANASTASIO, 54, of East Haven
ANTONIO DELUCIA, 26, of Wallingford

This investigation was conducted by the FBI’s New Haven Safe Streets Task Force, which consists of FBI agents and officers from the New Haven Police Department, West Haven Police Department and the Connecticut Department of Correction.  Six of the defendants were arrested on June 10, 2015.  ROBBIE SMITH is currently in state custody on unrelated charges.

The indictment alleges that between February and May 2015, JEFFREY SMITH, ROBBIE SMITH and LONDON conspired with others to distribute heroin and crack cocaine.  According to court documents and statements made in court, the three men shared a mobile telephone on which they were contacted by drug customers throughout the New Haven area.  The men would then deliver the drugs that were ordered in exchange for cash.

JEFFREY SMITH, ROBBIE SMITH and LONDON are charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute heroin and cocaine base (“crack”).  In addition, JEFFREY SMITH is charged with four counts of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, cocaine base, and one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, heroin.  LONDON is also charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, cocaine base.  OATHOUT, LANGLEY, ANASTASIO and DELUCIA, who are alleged to be drug customers of the conspiracy, are each charged with one count of using a telephone to facilitate a narcotics trafficking felony offense.

If convicted of the charges, JEFFREY SMITH and LONDON face a mandatory minimum sentence of five years of imprisonment and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years on the conspiracy charge, and up to 20 years in prison on each distribution charge.  ROBBIE SMITH faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, and OATHOUT, LANGLEY, ANASTASIO and DELUCIA each face a maximum term of imprisonment of four years.

U.S. Attorney Daly stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt.  Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

U.S. Attorney Daly stated that the investigation is ongoing.

This matter is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys H. Gordon Hall and Jennifer R. Laraia.