New London Man Gets Decade In Prison On Cocaine Charges

A 27-year-old New Londoner is the latest person to be sentenced for his role in a southeastern Connecticut drug trafficking ring.

David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced today that U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny ordered Wheeler Johnson to serve 10 years in prison, as well as five years of supervised release.

Investigators determined that Johnson was involved in supplying cocaine to the drug network. He was arrested on Oct. 30, 2009, and a search of his vehicle found a hidden compartment. Law enforcement agents found about 1.2 kilograms of cocaine and $10,000 in cash in the compartment, and later seized about $50,000 in jewelry and watches from a safe deposit box held by Johnson.

Johnson pleaded guilty on Sept. 24 2010 to a single count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms or more of cocaine. Lamont "Dell" Muller pleaded guilty on the same day to conspiracy to distribute over five kilograms of cocaine, 50 grams or more of cocaine base, and marijuana and oxycodone. He was sentenced to 135 months in prison on March 30.

The nine-month investigation into the drug trafficking operation was headed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and included participation by the Connecticut State Police, Norwich Police Department, Groton Town Police Department, , Waterford Police Department, the state Department of Correction, and the .  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah P. Karwan and Anthony P. Kaplan are prosecuting the case.