United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

HARTFORD HEROIN DEALER SENTENCED TO TWO YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON

Nora R. Dannehy, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JONATHAN MONTES, also known as “Fifen,” 25, of Charlotte Street, Hartford, was sentenced today by Senior United States District Judge Peter C. Dorsey in New Haven to 24 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for his participation in a narcotics trafficking ring.  On November 23, 2009, MONTES pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and distribution of, heroin.

This matter stems from “Operation Solid Gold,” a joint law enforcement investigation headed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force.  The year-long investigation included the use of court-authorized wiretaps, controlled purchases of cocaine and heroin, and physical surveillance.  As a result of the investigation, 55 individuals were charged with various offenses related to the distribution of cocaine and heroin in and around Hartford.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in November and December 2008, MONTES was intercepted frequently over a wiretap discussing the purchase and sale of heroin.  In April and May 2009, an individual working with law enforcement made two controlled purchases of heroin from MONTES.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force, the Statewide Cooperative Crime Control Task Force of the Connecticut State Police and the Hartford Police Department, with assistance from the Statewide Organized Crime Investigative Task Force of the Connecticut State Police, Connecticut State Police, Troop H, and the Connecticut Department of Correction.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Brian P. Leaming and Geoffrey M. Stone.

CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
thomas.carson@usdoj.gov