Indictment Charges 7 Willimantic Residents with Trafficking Heroin

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, and Willimantic Police Chief Roberto Rosado today announced that a federal grand jury in Hartford returned an indictment yesterday charging the following seven Willimantic residents with conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, 100 grams or more of heroin:

XAVIER DIAZ, a.k.a. “Coco,” 29
MOISES RIVERA, a.k.a. “Burny,” 30
MIGUEL CEBALLO-CRUZ, 26
KIMBERLY ROMAN, 25
JESUS OMAR VAZQUEZ-MARTINEZ, 34
JORGE ROSADO, 42
HENRY SOTO, a.k.a. “Yomo,” “Jomo” and “Shorty,” 25

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, in May 2018, members of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force and Willimantic Police Department investigating a heroin/fentanyl overdose death that occurred in August 2017 received information that Xavier Diaz was operating a heroin distribution ring in Willimantic.  The investigation revealed that drug purchasers called a phone shared by members of the conspiracy to place an order for heroin.  Thereafter, a “runner” would meet the purchaser to complete the transaction.

On October 15, 2018, Diaz, Rivera, Ceballo-Cruz, Roman and Rosado were arrested on federal criminal complaints.  On that date, a search of Diaz’s residence revealed approximately 1,000 bags of heroin, a stolen firearm, and ammunition.  In addition, a search of a storage unit connected to the organization revealed approximately $20,000 in cash.

Vazquez-Martinez is currently detained in state custody, and Soto is being sought by law enforcement.

If convicted of the charge in the indictment, each defendant faces a minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years.

U.S. Attorney Durham stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt.  Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force includes personnel from the DEA Hartford Resident Office and the Bristol, Hartford, East Hartford, Manchester, New Britain, Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, Windsor Locks and Willimantic Police Departments.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Natasha M. Freismuth.