Hartford Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Federal Prison for Role in Heroin Trafficking Ring

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that BYRON RIVERA, 27, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for his role in a heroin distribution ring.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2016, the East Hartford Police Department received information that individuals were packaging and selling heroin from an apartment at 50 Forest Street in Hartford, and that there were guns in the apartment. A law enforcement investigation in August and September 2016 confirmed drug activity at the location.

On September 13, 2016, members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department and the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force executed a search warrant at the apartment and encountered RIVERA and others inside. A search of the apartment revealed more than 39,000 bags of heroin, approximately 283 grams of unpackaged heroin, three fentanyl patches, scales and other items used in the processing and packaging of heroin, two handguns and numerous rounds of ammunition.

RIVERA was arrested on September 13, 2016. On May 16, 2017, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 100 grams or more of heroin.

The FBI Task Force includes members of the U.S. Marshals Service, Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian P. Leaming.