East Haven Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Federal Prison for Narcotics Distribution and Firearm Possession Offenses

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that SEAN PEPE, 39, of East Haven, was sentenced today 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 offenses.

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-authorized 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-authorized 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 mold drugs into kilogram bricks, three firearms, body armor, 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 illegally possession of 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.

This matter has been investigated by the DEA New Haven's Tactical Diversion Squad, the FBI's New Haven Safe Streets/Gang Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the U.S. Marshals Service. The DEA Tactical Diversion Squad is composed of personnel from the DEA and the Manchester, Glastonbury, West Haven, Hamden, Newington, and Bristol Police Departments. The FBI Task Force includes participants from the FBI, the Connecticut State Police, the Connecticut Department of Correction, and the New Haven, Milford, East Haven, West Haven, and Wallingford Police Departments.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ross Weingarten and Katherine Boyles, in coordination with the New Haven and Milford State's Attorney's Offices.

This case is being prosecuted through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

In March 2024, the U.S. Attorney's Office and the DEA's New England Field Division released a public service announcement warning of the danger of fentanyl and the proliferation of counterfeit prescription pills. Click here for more information.