Norwalk Man Pleads Guilty to Distributing Heroin

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOSEPH DANIELS, also known as “Sean,” 36, of Norwalk, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to one count of possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Norwalk Police arrested Daniels on May 15, 2018, after officers had made multiple controlled purchases of narcotics from him.  On that date, investigators conducted court-authorized searches of Daniels’ residence, car, and storage units he rented, and seized approximately 190 grams of heroin, other drugs, drug paraphernalia, and more than $59,000 in cash.

Daniels has been detained since his arrest.

Judge Meyer scheduled sentencing for April 26, 2019.  The charge carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years.  However, because Daniels has a prior conviction for a felony drug offense, he faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.

Daniels’ criminal history includes a federal conviction for distributing crack cocaine.  In June 2003, he was sentenced in Bridgeport federal court to 43 months of imprisonment for that offense.

This matter has been investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Norwalk Police Department.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jocelyn Courtney Kaoutzanis.