Decision Reached On Federal Sentence For Accused Bridgeport Gang Member: U.S. Attorney

BRIDGEPORT, CT — A 28-year-old Bridgeport man was sentenced last week to nearly 14 years in federal prison for his role in a violent street gang responsible for multiple shootings, including a 2019 homicide and an attempted murder, federal prosecutors said.

Eric Hayes, also known as "Heavyweight Champ," received a 165-month sentence from U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in New Haven. Hayes was also sentenced to three years of supervised release.

The sentencing was announced by Marc H. Silverman, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut; Joseph T. Corradino, State’s Attorney for the Fairfield Judicial District; Bridgeport Police Chief Roderick Porter; Anish Shukla, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division; Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, and Acting U.S. Marshal Lawrence Bobnick.

Authorities said Hayes was a member and former leader of the East End gang, which operated in Bridgeport and had alliances with other local groups, including the PT Barnum Gang, East Side gang, and 150. These gangs were rivals with gangs, such as the Original North End (O.N.E.) and Greene Homes Boyz (GHB).

The investigation, led by federal and local law enforcement agencies, began amid rising gun violence in Bridgeport. Officials said East End gang members were responsible for the fatal shooting of Myreke Kenion and the attempted murder of D’Andre Brown, both affiliated with GHB, on Jan. 26, 2020. A retaliatory shooting the following day targeted East End members outside a state courthouse, injuring four people.

Prosecutors said Hayes and other East End members were involved in distributing narcotics, using and sharing firearms, and committing acts of violence against rival gang members. Authorities linked the group to at least six murders. Gang members also posted rap videos on YouTube and shared content on social media that authorities said promoted the group’s criminal activities and intimidated potential witnesses.

Hayes was found to have fatally shot Jerrell Gatewood, a member of a rival group, on March 5, 2019. He was also involved in planning the September 2019 shooting of Marquis Isreal, a member of the O.N.E. gang, who was shot 12 times but survived.
Hayes was arrested on Sept. 25, 2019, while in possession of a loaded .45-caliber handgun. Forensic evidence later linked the weapon to the shooting involving Isreal.

He was convicted on Dec. 5, 2023, along with three other men—Trevon Wright, Keishawn Donald, and Travon Jones—of conspiring to engage in racketeering activity. The other three defendants have already been sentenced.

The case is part of a broader federal investigation that has led to the convictions of approximately 47 individuals associated with the East End, O.N.E., and GHB gangs, and has helped solve eight homicides and about 20 attempted murders.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force, the ATF, DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, Bridgeport Police Department, and Connecticut State Police, with assistance from other federal and local agencies.

The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jocelyn C. Kaoutzanis, Stephanie T. Levick, Rahul Kale, and Karen L. Peck.

The case is part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods, Project Longevity, and Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces programs, which aim to reduce violent crime and dismantle criminal organizations.