West Haven Man Sentenced For Trafficking Counterfeit Narcotic Pills: Feds

WEST HAVEN, CT — A West Haven man has been sentenced to more than 11 years in prison for operating a drug trafficking ring involving fentanyl and methamphetamine pills disguised as legitimate prescription medication, as well as other controlled substances, according to officials.

Willis Taylor, 68, was sentenced Tuesday in federal court in Hartford to 138 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised released, Acting U.S. Attorney for Connecticut Marc H. Silverman announced.

According to court documents and statements made in court, the matter stems from an investigation by the DEA New Haven’s Tactical Diversion Squad and the FBI’s New Haven Safe Streets/Gang Task Force targeting the manufacture and distribution of thousands of counterfeit oxycodone tablets containing fentanyl and counterfeit Adderall tablets containing methamphetamine, and the distribution of heroin and cocaine, in the New Haven area.

The investigation found that Taylor “coordinated the manufacture and distribution of the counterfeit narcotic pills,” according to a news release.

“Taylor obtained drugs from others, including gang members, and sold them, or pressed them into pills at locations in New Haven, Branford, and Shelton, before selling them,” officials wrote in the news release. “Taylor also arranged counterfeit pill transactions between second and third parties, sometimes being supplied by a co-conspirator.”

On Oct. 20, 2022, Taylor was arrested on related state charges when, after “having been directed by his girlfriend to clear drugs out of her home, he was stopped in a car and found in possession of more than three kilograms of various narcotics,” according to the news release.

A subsequent search of his residence revealed additional quantities of narcotics and drug paraphernalia, according to officials.

Officials said the investigation also found that a person overdosed and died at Taylor’s West Haven residence on May 7, 2022.

“During the investigation, investigators seized from Taylor and his co-conspirators more than two kilograms of fentanyl, including thousands of counterfeit Oxycodone tablets; approximately two kilograms of methamphetamine, including thousands of counterfeit Adderall pills; three kilograms of cocaine and other drugs; four pill-press machines; one industrial mixer; five firearms; and more than $200,000 in cash,” officials wrote. “Fourteen individuals were charged as a result of this investigation.”

Taylor has been detained since his federal arrest on March 28, 2023. He pleaded guilty on Sept. 4, 2024 to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 400 grams or more of fentanyl, 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, 100 grams or more of heroin, and 500 grams or more of cocaine.

The matter has been investigated by the DEA New Haven’s Tactical Diversion Squad, the FBI’s New Haven Safe Streets/Gang Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the U.S. Marshals Service, with the assistance of the Connecticut State Police, and the East Haven, West Haven, and Hamden Police Departments. The DEA Tactical Diversion Squad is composed of personnel from the DEA, the Connecticut State Police, and the West Haven, Hamden, Manchester, Bristol, Fairfield, and Seymour Police Departments. The FBI Task Force includes participants from the FBI, the Connecticut State Police, the Connecticut Department of Correction, and the New Haven, Milford, East Haven, West Haven, and Wallingford Police Departments.