Four Hartford Men Sentenced to Federal Prison for Roles in Drug Trafficking Ring

June 2, 2010 - David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that four Hartford men who were involved in narcotics trafficking were sentenced today by Senior United States District Judge Peter C. Dorsey in New Haven.

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.

CARLOS HUERTAS, 35, of Niles Street, Hartford, was sentenced to 36 months of imprisonment, followed by six years of supervised release. On November 16, 2009, HUERTAS pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine. During the course of the investigation, HUERTAS was frequently intercepted over a wiretap discussing with another member of the conspiracy the purchase of ounce and eighth-ounce (“eight-ball”) quantities of cocaine. They also discussed the purchase of heroin and marijuana. HUERTAS purchased and received the drugs from his co-conspirator and then distributed the drugs to others.

JOSE ROSARIO, also known as “Papito,” 23, of Seymour Street, Hartford, was sentenced to 24 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release. On December 8, 2009, ROSARIO pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin. ROSARIO and his mother purchased heroin from another member of the conspiracy, which they, in turn, packaged and sold in “bundles” (10 dose bags) and “stacks” (10 bundles). During a May 19, 2009, search of his residence, investigators seized approximately 314 dose bags of heroin, narcotics packaging materials, narcotics paraphernalia and $22,463.32 in cash.

ORLANDO RODRIGUEZ, 28, of Orange Street, Hartford, was sentenced to 12 months and one day of imprisonment, followed by one year of supervised release. On December 8, 2009, RODRIGUEZ pleaded guilty to one count of using a telephone to facilitate a drug trafficking felony. RODRIGUEZ was intercepted on numerous occasions over a wiretap discussing the acquisition of narcotics with a co-defendant.

MAX COSME, also known as “Max MD,” 30, of Affleck Street, Hartford, was sentenced to four months of home confinement and one year of probation. On November 23, 2009, COSME pleaded guilty to one count of using a telephone to facilitate the commission of a drug trafficking felony. COSME also was intercepted several times over a wiretap discussing the distribution of heroin with a co-defendant. COSME also sold heroin from his Affleck Street residence.

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.