Willimantic Heroin Trafficker Sentenced to 5 Years in Federal Prison

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JESUS OMAR VAZQUEZ-MARTINEZ, 35, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for trafficking heroin.

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

The investigation connected the August 2017 overdose death, and several non-fatal overdoses, to drugs distributed by the Diaz organization.

Diaz and other members of his organization were arrested on October 15, 2018.  On that date, a search of Diaz’s residence revealed more than 100 grams of heroin, a stolen firearm, and ammunition.  In addition, a search of a storage unit connected to the organization revealed more than $20,000 in cash.

Vazquez-Martinez has been detained since his arrest on state narcotics charges in April 2018.  On October 28, 2019, he pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin.

Diaz pleaded guilty to the same charge and, on November 25, 2019, was sentenced to five years of imprisonment.

The DEA’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.