New Haven Heroin Dealer Sentenced to 5 Years in Federal Prison

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that on March 16, 2018, LUIS RIVERA, JR., also known as “Pop” and “Gordo,” 43, of New Haven, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford 60 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing heroin.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 3, 2016, an individual working with law enforcement purchased heroin from RIVERA in New Haven.  The next day, investigators conducted a court-authorized search of RIVERA’s residence and car and seized heroin packaged for street sale, a digital scale and other items used to process and package narcotics for distribution.

RIVERA has been detained since his arrest on March 4, 2016.  On October 13, 2017, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, heroin.

RIVERA’s criminal history includes several prior convictions, including felony convictions for sale of narcotics, robbery in the first degree, possession of narcotics, larceny in the third degree, assault on law enforcement personnel, and possession of a firearm.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Haven Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah P. Karwan.