Hartford Man Sentenced to 33 Months in Federal Prison for Role in Drug Ring

February 4, 2010 - Nora R. Dannehy, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MIGUEL CORREA, also known as “Jose Negron” and “Mikey,” 38, of Harold Street, Hartford, was sentenced today by Senior United States District Judge Peter C. Dorsey in New Haven to 33 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for his participation in a narcotics trafficking ring. On November 16, 2009, CORREA pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and distribution of, cocaine.

This matter stems from “Operation Solid Gold,” a joint law enforcement investigation headed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force. The year-long investigation included the use of court-authorized wiretaps, controlled purchases of cocaine and heroin, and physical surveillance. As a result of the investigation, 55 individuals were charged with various offenses related to the distribution of cocaine and heroin in and around Hartford.

According to court documents and statements made in court, the investigation revealed that Victor Esteves, also known as “Gadget,” and Reynaldo Laureano, also known as “Pichy,” were high-ranking members of the Almighty Latin King Nation (“Latin Kings”) who controlled the drug trade in separate neighborhoods in Hartford. During the investigation, CORREA, who also is an admitted member of the Latin Kings, was intercepted frequently over wiretaps ordering quantities of cocaine and heroin from both Esteves and Laureano, some of which he sold to others.

Esteves and Laureano previously pleaded guilty to charges related to their participation in this narcotics trafficking conspiracy. On October 16, 2009, Esteves was sentenced to 72 months of imprisonment. On January 22, 2010, Laureano was sentenced to 97 months of imprisonment.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force, the Statewide Cooperative Crime Control Task Force of the Connecticut State Police and the Hartford Police Department, with assistance from the Statewide Organized Crime Investigative Task Force of the Connecticut State Police, Connecticut State Police, Troop H, and the Connecticut Department of Correction. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Brian P. Leaming and Geoffrey M. Stone.