A 68-year-old man from West Haven, Willis Taylor, has been sentenced to more than 11 years in federal prison. The sentencing took place at the U.S. District Court in Hartford, with Judge Omar A. Williams presiding. Taylor was found guilty of leading a drug trafficking operation that dealt in fentanyl, methamphetamine, and other controlled substances disguised as legitimate medications.
The case originated from an investigation led by the DEA New Haven's Tactical Diversion Squad and the FBI’s New Haven Safe Streets/Gang Task Force. The focus was on fighting the production and distribution of counterfeit oxycodone tablets laced with fentanyl and fake Adderall pills containing methamphetamine, alongside heroin and cocaine distribution around New Haven.
Taylor's role involved organizing the creation and sale of these illegal narcotics. He acquired drugs from various sources, including gang members, and pressed them into pill form in different locations. Taylor also acted as a broker for transactions between other parties, obtaining supplies through collaboration.
Law enforcement arrested Taylor on October 20, 2022, following his attempt to remove drugs from his girlfriend’s home. Upon searching his vehicle and residence, authorities found over three kilograms of narcotics and related equipment. The investigation noted a fatal overdose at Taylor’s address on May 7, 2022, further highlighting the operation's dangers.
During the course of the inquiry, federal agents seized significant quantities of drugs, pill-making machinery, firearms, and a substantial amount of cash. The wider investigation led to charges against 14 accomplices.
Arrested federally on March 28, 2023, Taylor later pleaded guilty in September 2024 to conspiracy related to possessing and distributing large quantities of dangerous narcotics. The investigation involved several law enforcement agencies, including the DEA, FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, and the U.S. Marshals Service, with support from state and local police departments.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys John T. Pierpont, Jr., Konstantin Lantsman, and Katherine Boyles conducted the prosecution under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program. The OCDETF Program is dedicated to disrupting and dismantling drug trafficking and criminal organizations through cooperative efforts across multiple levels of government, as explained on the U.S. Department of Justice website.