U.S. Department of Justice

United States Attorney
District of Connecticut

PRESS RELEASE

March 13, 2009
CONTACT:
Tom Carson
Public Information Office
(203) 821-3722
(203) 996-1393 (cell)  

STAMFORD MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO FEDERAL DRUG CONSPIRACY, WITNESS RETALIATION CHARGES

Nora R. Dannehy, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ANTONIO ROBINSON, also known as "Dave" and "Biggie Smalls," 38, of Stamford, pleaded guilty today before United States District Judge Mark R. Kravitz in New Haven to one count of retaliating against a witness and one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base ("crack cocaine").

On February 14, 2008, a federal grand jury returned a 30-count Indictment charging ROBINSON and 21 other individuals with various federal drug trafficking, firearm and witness tampering offenses related to the distribution of cocaine and crack cocaine in Southwestern Connecticut. According to documents filed with the Court and statements made in court, ROBINSON not only was involved in the distribution of crack cocaine, but he also served as an enforcer for the narcotics trafficking organization in order to protect its members' illegal activities from law enforcement by intimidating witnesses and otherwise obstructing justice. Specifically, on December 24, 2007, ROBINSON and other members of the organization attempted to murder another individual in order to retaliate against the victim for providing information about a narcotics trafficking offense to a law enforcement officer. ROBINSON shot the victim several times, and the victim sustained serious bodily injury.

Judge Kravitz has scheduled sentencing for June 4, 2009, at which time ROBINSON faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 20 years, a maximum term of imprisonment of life and a fine of up to $8 million.

All 22 individuals charged in the Indictment have pleaded guilty.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Safe Streets Task Force, which is composed of members of federal and local law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation Division, and the Norwalk, Bridgeport, Trumbull, Fairfield and Stamford Police Departments. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tracy Lee Dayton of the U.S. Attorney's Office Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force.