Jahaz Langston, known as "Haz," has been sentenced to over 15 years in federal prison for his role in a violent street gang in Bridgeport. U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley handed down the sentence of 188 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.
This sentencing announcement was made by Marc H. Silverman, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, along with other law enforcement officials.
The investigation leading to Langston's conviction examined multiple gangs in Bridgeport with connections to narcotics trafficking, murder, and violence. Langston was identified as a member of the Original North End (O.N.E.) gang. This group, operating in the Trumbull Gardens area, engaged in violent acts against rival gangs and committed various other crimes, including robbery and drug distribution.
Several forms of evidence, including text messages and social media posts, supported the charges against Langston, confirming his involvement in the sale of narcotics and firearms and in stealing vehicles. The investigation revealed that Langston and another O.N.E. member, Amire Newsome, conspired for murder, resulting in a shooting on March 7, 2021, severely injuring an innocent bystander.
Langston, in custody since July 2021, pleaded guilty on September 13, 2023, to conspiring to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity. His arrest and conviction stem from a large-scale investigation that has led to the conviction of roughly 47 members and associates from various gangs.
The prosecutorial effort is part of the Justice Department's initiatives such as Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), Project Longevity, and the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF). These programs aim to curb violent crime and dismantle criminal networks through collaborative law enforcement efforts.
Further prosecution involved Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karen L. Peck, Jocelyn C. Kaoutzanis, Stephanie T. Levick, and Rahul Kale, with significant support from federal and local law enforcement agencies.
Newsome, who pleaded guilty in August 2023, awaits sentencing.
The investigation and prosecution reflect ongoing efforts to address gang-related violence and drug trafficking, resonating with the broader goals of national and local crime prevention initiatives.
