Monday, March 22, 2010

Bridgeport Man Sentenced to Five Years in Federal Prison for Dealing Cocaine

March 22, 2010 - Nora R. Dannehy, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JAVIER HERNANDEZ, also known as “Javi,” 28, of Grove Street, Bridgeport, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Janet C. Hall in Bridgeport to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for his participation in a Bridgeport-based narcotics trafficking ring. On August 19, 2009, HERNANDEZ pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.

This matter stems from “Operation G-Force,” a joint law enforcement investigation into Bridgeport-area narcotics trafficking headed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Safe Streets Task Force. The year-long investigation, which led to the federal prosecution of 46 individuals, included the use of court-authorized wiretaps, controlled purchases of cocaine, crack cocaine, and heroin, and physical surveillance.

According to court documents and statements made in court, HERNANDEZ was actively involved in distributing cocaine with co-conspirator Ruben Cruz. HERNANDEZ possessed a loaded firearm with hollow-point bullets in connection with his drug-distribution activities.

On July 1, 2009, Cruz also pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. He awaits sentencing.

This matter was investigated by members of the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, which is composed of federal agents and state and local officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, the Connecticut State Police Statewide Narcotics Task Force, and the Bridgeport, Stamford, Stratford, Fairfield, Trumbull and Norwalk Police Departments. This matter is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Hal Chen and Dave Vatti.

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