Lorenzo Carter, also known as “Zo” and “Skiii,” age 30, of Bridgeport, was sentenced to 40 years in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley for his role in a violent Bridgeport street gang. Carter will also serve three years of supervised release after completing his sentence.
The announcement was made by David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut; Joseph T. Corradino, State’s Attorney for the Fairfield Judicial District; Bridgeport Police Chief Roderick Porter; P.J. O’Brien, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Bryan DiGirolamo, Acting Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division; Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England; and Acting U.S. Marshal John Iverson.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, law enforcement agencies including the FBI, ATF, DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, Connecticut State Police and Bridgeport Police have been investigating several gangs based in Bridgeport that are involved in drug trafficking and violent crimes such as murder. Carter was identified as a member of the Original North End (“O.N.E.”) gang operating out of Trumbull Gardens in Bridgeport. The group committed violence against rival gangs like East End gang, East Side gang, and PT Barnum gang. Members also engaged in robberies targeting drug dealers and customers, sold narcotics, stole vehicles from both inside and outside Connecticut—sometimes using these vehicles to commit additional crimes—and used social media to promote their activities.
On August 9, 2018, members of O.N.E., including Carter, stole a Jeep Grand Cherokee from Newburgh, New York and brought it back to Bridgeport. In subsequent days they planned to use this vehicle to target members or associates of the East End gang at a deli on Stratford Avenue but did not carry out that plan. However, on August 13th early morning hours Carter and other O.N.E. members drove the stolen Jeep to Stratford and Union Avenues where they shot Len Smith—mistakenly believed to be an East End member—killing him while he sat parked with a female companion who was seriously wounded by gunfire. Afterward they transported the Jeep to Indian Well State Park in Shelton where it was burned in an attempt to destroy evidence.
O.N.E.’s criminal activity included additional acts of violence such as murder. Carter and others posted videos online displaying firearms and referencing deceased rivals.
Carter has been detained since May 21st 2021. He was convicted after trial on November 21st 2023 for racketeering conspiracy charges.
His prior criminal record includes state and federal convictions related to firearms offenses; notably he received a sentence of 21 months imprisonment in New Haven federal court during 2016 for unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.
The broader investigation into Bridgeport-based gangs has resulted in about 47 individuals being convicted on federal charges connected with eight solved murders and approximately twenty attempted murders.
This case is part of coordinated efforts under Justice Department initiatives such as Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), Project Longevity and Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF). Multiple law enforcement agencies contributed—including local police departments from Norwalk, Stamford, Fairfield, Stratford among others—as well as support from organizations like the U.S Postal Inspection Service and Connecticut Forensic Science Laboratory.
“This prosecution is a part of the Justice’s Department’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), Project Longevity and Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) programs.”
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karen L. Peck, Jocelyn C. Kaoutzanis, Stephanie T. Levick and Rahul Kale.
