BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — A member of Bridgeport’s violent Original North End gang was sentenced in the city on Friday to six-and-a-half years in federal prison, according to a release from the U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut.
Jauwan Edwards, 26, of Bridgeport, sold a variety of drugs, including fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, crack, Percocet pills, and marijuana, prosecutors said, citing an analysis of multiple social media posts and text messages.
Prosecutors said he and another member of the gang also participated in the theft and possession of stolen vehicles, stealing a Lexus Rx350 from Rye, N.Y. that was later used in a homicide. Edwards also possessed firearms, according to prosecutors.
The Original North End, or O.N.E., is a gang located in Bridgeport’s Trumbull Gardens area that prosecutors say has committed acts of violence against rival gangs, robbed drug dealers, customers and others, sold narcotics, stole cars from within and outside of the state, and often used the cars to commit crimes. Prosecutors added that gang members frequently used social media to promote and coordinate their criminal activities.
Prosecutors said that in early December 2019, O.N.E. members were involved in multiple shooting incidents in Bridgeport. On the first occasion, the mother of two rival gang members was shot outside her home in the city.
On Dec. 8, 2019, O.N.E. members used the stolen Lexus in a shooting outside the P.T. Barnum Housing Complex before driving it to Newfield Avenue, the home to a rival gang, where they shot and killed 18-year-old T’Quess “Breezo” Moore, according to prosecutors.
Edwards has been detained since his arrest on July 27, 2021, during which a search of his residence uncovered fentanyl, crack cocaine, and cocaine packaged for distribution as well as a loaded Glock handgun with an extended magazine and laser sight, prosecutors said.
Edwards pleaded guilty to one count of racketeering conspiracy on June 30, 2023, and is one of approximately 47 members and associates of local gangs who have been convicted of federal offenses stemming from the investigation, which prosecutors said has solved eight murders and around 20 attempted murders.
According to prosecutors, Edwards’ prison sentence is followed by three years of supervised release. His prosecution is part of the Justice Department’s Project Safe Neighborhoods, Project Longevity, and Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces programs.
The investigation was performed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Marshals Service, Connecticut State Police, the Bridgeport State’s Attorney, and several local police departments, including Bridgeport’s.
----
Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
----
Do you have a story idea or something on your mind you want to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at newstips@fox61.com.
----
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET FOX61 NEWS
Download the FOX61 News APP
iTunes: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Stream Live on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching FOX61.
Steam Live on FIRE TV: Search ‘FOX61’ and click ‘Get’ to download.
