Guatemalan National Living in Rhode Island Sentenced to 42 Months in Federal Prison for Trafficking Heroin

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MARIO RECINOS, 27, a citizen of Guatemala last residing in Central Falls, R.I., was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 42 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised, release, for trafficking heroin.

According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from an investigation that began after several heroin overdoses in southeastern Connecticut, including two overdose deaths involving a heroin and fentanyl mix that occurred in January 2016.  The investigation, which included court-authorized wiretaps and controlled purchases of narcotics, revealed that Recinos and others supplied Michael Luciano, of New London, with heroin.  Luciano distributed the drug through a network of street-level dealers in southeastern Connecticut.

Recinos has been detained since his arrest on November 14, 2017.  On that date, investigators executed 12 federal search warrants and seized more than three kilograms of heroin from members of the conspiracy, including more than one-half kilogram from Recinos.

On December 12, 2017, a grand jury in Hartford returned a 25-count superseding indictment charging Recinos, Luciano and 19 other individuals with various heroin trafficking offenses.

On November 9, 2018, Recinos pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin.

Recinos faces immigration proceedings when he is released from prison.

On June 27, 2018, Luciano pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin.  On January 29, 2019, he was sentenced to 12 years of imprisonment.

This matter is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Marshals Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, Homeland Security Investigations, Connecticut State Police Statewide Narcotics Task Force East and the New London, Norwich, Waterford, Attleboro (Mass.) and Freetown (Mass.) Police Departments.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys S. Dave Vatti and Geoffrey M. Stone.