Citizen of the Dominican Republic Pleads Guilty to Cocaine Trafficking Charge

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that CHRISTIAN PAULINO RODRIGUEZ, 47, a citizen of the Dominican Republic last residing in Stamford, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, 500 grams or more of cocaine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in November 2016, RODRIGUEZ arranged for the sale and delivery of kilogram quantities of cocaine, for $32,000 per kilogram, to an individual working with law enforcement. DEA Task Force officers arrested RODRIGUEZ on November 15, 2016, after he coordinated the sale of approximately five kilograms of cocaine to the individual.

Judge Shea scheduled sentencing for October 12, 2017, at which time RODRIGUEZ faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

RODRIGUEZ has been detained since his arrest.

This matter is being investigated by the DEA’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force and the Stamford and Norwalk Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Vizcarrondo.