Hartford Man Sentenced to 4 Years in Federal Prison for Distributing Heroin and Fentanyl

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOSEMANUEL RIOS, also known as “Jay,” 41, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Alker Meyer in New Haven to 48 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing heroin and fentanyl

This matter stems from an ongoing statewide initiative targeting narcotics dealers who distribute heroin, fentanyl or opioids that cause death or serious injury to users.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on February 25, 2016, a male and female overdosed at a motel in Enfield. The overdoses were not fatal. In the motel room, investigators found five wax folds that contained fentanyl. RIOS was identified as the source of the drugs ingested by the victims.

On February 26, 2016, a search of an East Hartford motel room that RIOS was renting revealed approximately 200 bags of fentanyl stamped with the same image found on the bags in the Enfield motel room, and 13 bags of heroin stamped with a different image.

RIOS has been detained since his arrest on February 26, 2016. On November 21, 2016, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl.

This matter was investigated by the DEA’s New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad and the Enfield Police Department. The Tactical Diversion Squad includes participants from the New Haven, Hamden, Greenwich, Shelton, Bristol, Vernon, Wilton, Milford, Monroe, Fairfield and Manchester Police Departments, and the Connecticut State Police. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey M. Stone.