HARTFORD DRUG DEALER SENTENCED TO 35 YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON

(Hartford) - Kevin J. O'Connor, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that Arthur PUGH, Jr., a.k.a. "Rock," age 33, of 107 Mather Street, Hartford, Connecticut, was sentenced today to 35 years in federal prison for possessing distribution quantities of "crack" cocaine and a nine millimeter pistol. United States District Judge Christopher F. Droney sentenced PUGH this morning in Hartford to a term of incarceration of 360 months on the narcotics charge, and a consecutive term of incarceration of 60 months on the weapons charge. Because the terms of incarceration for the drug and weapons charges will run consecutively, PUGH will serve a total sentence of 420 months. Judge Droney also sentenced PUGH to a term of five years of supervised release upon completion of his term of imprisonment. PUGH has been incarcerated since his arrest in March 2002.

On September 5, 2003, after a three-day trial in Hartford federal court, PUGH was convicted by a jury of possessing more than 50 grams of crack cocaine and a nine millimeter Glock pistol in furtherance of his drug crime.

On March 7, 2002, the Drug Enforcement Administration and Hartford Police executed a search warrant at PUGH's residence at 107 Mather Street in Hartford. During that search, law enforcement officers encountered a padlocked bedroom door on the second floor. Using a key found on PUGH's key ring, they were able to open the padlock and enter the room. Once inside, they discovered a digital scale, a small amount of crack cocaine, over $1600 in cash, numerous plastic baggies and a knife. Officers also found 73.5 grams of crack cocaine, a quantity of marijuana and the 9mm Glock pistol in an air conditioner located just outside of the window to the padlocked bedroom. The pistol had two magazines, each of which was loaded with hollow point bullets.

At the sentencing proceeding, the prosecutor indicated that PUGH had 18 prior convictions, including five prior convictions for the sale of illegal narcotics in the city of Hartford.

"The often deadly combination of illegal narcotics and guns in the hands of longtime drug dealers will be vigorously prosecuted by this Office, and this case is an example of the federal government's resolve to address this problem particularly in the city of Hartford," U.S. Attorney O'Connor stated. "The significant sentence in this case will ensure that Mr. Pugh's career as an armed drug dealer is over, and it should serve as an example to others who choose to sell drugs in the capital city of the serious consequences of their actions."

U.S. Attorney O'Connor complimented both the Hartford Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration for their efforts in this case.

Assistant United States Attorneys Raymond F. Miller and Michael J. Gustafson prosecuted this case.

Issued by:
U.S. Department of Justice
United States Attorney
District of Connecticut
Connecticut Financial Center
157 Church Street, P.O. Box 1824
New Haven, Connecticut 06510 www.usdoj.gov/usao/ct

CONTACT: Tom Carson, Public Information Office, (203) 821-3722, (203) 996-1393 (cell)