BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — A member of Bridgeport’s violent Original North End gang has been sentenced to nine years in federal prison, followed by four years of supervised release, according to a release from the U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut.
Michael “Mikey RTN” Lockhart, 25, of Bridgeport was sentenced on Tuesday in Bridgeport for his involvement with the gang. According to prosecutors, on Sept. 13, 2023, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and unlawful gun possession by a felon.
Court documents and statements indicate that the FBI, ATF, DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, Connecticut State Police and Bridgeport Police Department have been investigating multiple Bridgeport gangs whose members are involved in drug trafficking, murder and other violent acts.
Prosecutors said Lockhart was a member of the Original North End gang based in the Trumbull Gardens area of Bridgeport; gang members have committed violent acts against rival gangs such as the East End gang, the East Side gang and the PT Barnum gang.
According to prosecutors, Original North End gang members also robbed drug dealers, customers and others, sold drugs, stole cars from in and outside of Connecticut and used those vehicles to commit crimes. The gang members also frequently posted on social media to promote and coordinate their criminal activities, prosecutors said.
Lockhart was arrested on June 1, 2021, after a search of his Roberts Street residence found large bags of marijuana, items used to process and package narcotics for street sale, including thousands of glassine bags that prosecutors said are used to package fentanyl and heroin, five Glock handguns, three empty boxes for other Glock handguns, extended magazines, ammunition, body armor and other gun accessories, according to prosecutors.
Lockhart shared the residence with Jamar Traylor, also a member of the Original North End gang. Prosecutors said that laboratory analysis of the seized items revealed Lockhart’s DNA on one of the handguns and a magazine; he and Traylor were both on state probation at the time.
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Lockhart has been detained since his arrest more than three years ago. According to prosecutors, 47 members and associates of the Bridgeport gangs have been convicted of federal offenses stemming from the joint investigation, which has solved eight murders and around 20 attempted murders.
Traylor, also known as “J-Hop,” pleaded guilty to conspiring to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity; prosecutors said he was sentenced to 14 years in prison on Feb. 6, 2023.
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Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
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