Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that PHILLIP STEWART, 46, a citizen of Jamaica residing in Queens, N.Y., pleaded guilty yesterday in New Haven federal court to one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, MDA and MDMA.
MDA (Methylenedioxyamphetamine) is an analogue of MDMA (Methylenedioxymethamphetamine), and they are both commonly known as “ecstasy".
According to court documents and statements made in court, STEWART conspired with Collin Fletcher and others to sell ecstasy to customers in Connecticut, New York and elsewhere. On Oct. 27, 2016, and again on Nov. 1, 2016, investigators made two controlled purchases of ecstasy from Fletcher.
STEWART and Fletcher were arrested on Nov. 18, 2016, after they attempted to sell approximately 10,000 capsules of ecstasy to an undercover officer. The capsules had a combined weight of approximately 923 grams of MDA.
STEWART is scheduled to be sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall on June 30, 2017, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. He is released on a $100,000 bond pending sentencing.
Fletcher, a citizen of Jamaica last residing in Bridgeport, pleaded guilty to the same charge on Feb. 14, 2017, and awaits sentencing. He has been detained since his arrest.
This matter is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad, which includes officers from the Bristol, Greenwich, Hamden, Milford, New Haven, Shelton, Vernon and Wilton Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Avi Perry.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
