Norwalk Man Sentenced to 41 Months in Federal Prison for Trafficking Cocaine and Illegally Possessing Guns

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that STEPHEN MAZZO, 34, of Norwalk, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 41 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for trafficking cocaine and illegally possessing firearms.  Judge Bryant also ordered MAZZO to pay a $5,000 fine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, the DEA’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force received information that MAZZO was trafficking cocaine in the Stamford area.  On May 31, 2017, investigators conducting surveillance on MAZZO observed him exit a Norwalk hotel carrying a plastic shopping bag that he had not been carrying when he had entered the hotel.  Law enforcement stopped MAZZO’s vehicle a short time later on Route 15 south in Stamford.  A search of the vehicle and the plastic shopping bag revealed more than 400 grams of cocaine.  MAZZO was arrested on state charges at that time.

Investigators returned to the hotel and determined that MAZZO had met with Dominick Pacifico, who had been residing at the hotel for several weeks.  A search of Pacifico’s hotel room revealed items used to package drugs for distribution, and a search of Pacifico’s vehicle revealed approximately 959 grams of cocaine separated in multiple packages for distribution, and $34,525 in cash.

A search of MAZZO’s residence revealed a semi-automatic pistol, a multi-caliber rifle, a 12-gauge shotgun, and shotgun shells.  As a result of his previous state convictions for felony drug offenses, MAZZO is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.

On February 15, 2018, MAZZO pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and one count of possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon.

MAZZO, who is released on a $200,000 bond, was ordered to report to prison on June 21.

On December 7, 2017, Pacifico pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, 500 grams or more of cocaine.  On March 9, 2018, he was sentenced to 60 months of imprisonment.

The DEA’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force includes members of the DEA, Connecticut State Police and the Norwalk, Stamford, Stratford and Milford Police Departments.

This case was prosecuted Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Vizcarrondo.