Eric Hayes, also referred to as "Heavyweight Champ", has been sentenced to over 13 years in federal prison for his involvement in the violent activities of a Bridgeport street gang, known as the East End gang. U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden handed down a sentence of 165 months, followed by three years of supervised release. Hayes was found guilty of participating in the murder and attempted murder of rival gang members.
The sentencing was announced by several officials, including Marc H. Silverman, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Roderick Porter, Bridgeport Police Chief. The investigation involved multiple law enforcement agencies, such as the FBI, ATF, DEA, and U.S. Marshals Service.
According to the court documents and evidence presented, Hayes was a member of the East End gang, which has been linked to various criminal activities, including drug trafficking and violence. The group was involved in a conflict against rival organizations like the GHB/Hotz and O.N.E. gangs. Significant gang violence in Bridgeport led to an investigation initiated by several law enforcement agencies.
Hayes, at one point the leader of the East End gang, was connected to the distribution of drugs and several violent acts, including the murder of Jerrell Gatewood and the attempted murder of Marquis Isreal. Evidence showed Hayes possessing a firearm linked to these violent incidents.
A jury found Hayes and his associates guilty of engaging in racketeering activities. As of now, around 47 individuals from the East End and its rival gangs have been convicted of federal offenses. The investigation was part of coordinated efforts by law enforcement agencies and is linked to federal initiatives like Project Safe Neighborhoods, Project Longevity, and the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) program. These initiatives aim to reduce violent crime and drug trafficking through community collaboration and focused enforcement.
The cases were prosecuted by a team of Assistant U.S. Attorneys, with ongoing efforts to address gang activity and enhance community safety.