NEW HAVEN, Conn. — A leader of the Grape Street Crips, a violent New Haven gang, has been charged with distributing meth and crack while on supervised release, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut reported on Wednesday.
A federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment on Tuesday charging Donald Ogman, 42, also known as “Mainey-O” and “Manny O”, with meth and cocaine distribution offenses, prosecutors said.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation arrested Ogman in 2012 for offenses related to his role in the Grape Street Crips gang, including drug trafficking, prosecutors said, noting that he pleaded guilty to narcotics offenses and was sentenced to more than 15 years in prison and five years of supervised release on March 10, 2015.
In August 2022, Ogman’s motion for compassionate release was granted, reducing his sentence to time served, and he was released from prison, prosecutors said.
The indictment against Ogman alleges that he resumed his drug trafficking activity while on federal supervised release and was distributing multi-colored pills containing methamphetamine in and around New Haven.
After an investigation that included surveillance, trash pulls and controlled purchases of methamphetamine pills from Ogman in March and April, Ogman was arrested on May 9, prosecutors said, adding that searches of his residence and person revealed more methamphetamine and crack. He has been detained since his arrest.
Ogman is charged in the indictment with one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, methamphetamine, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years. He is also charged with three counts of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of 50 grams or more of meth; the offense carries a maximum term of 40 years in prison on each count.
Ogman is also charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of meth and a quantity of cocaine, which carries a maximum prison term of 40 years.
Prosecutors said the indictment also alleges Ogman is subject to steeper penalties because of his prior conviction for a serious drug felony, and if convicted, he faces a minimum prison term of 10 years and a maximum term of life imprisonment.
The U.S. Attorney emphasized that an indictment is not evidence of guilt and that charges are only allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, the release said.
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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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