John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of
Connecticut, announced that JOSHUA AMARAL, also known as “Ill Child,” 34, of
Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New
Haven to 78 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised
release, for firearm offenses related to a shootout in Hartford’s South End in
April 2017.
According to court documents and statements made in court,
this matter stems from an investigation headed by the FBI’s Northern
Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force and the Hartford Police Department’s Vice
and Narcotics Division targeting gang violence and narcotics trafficking in
Hartford. The investigation revealed
that Wilson Velez, also known as “Wiso,” a member of the Almighty Latin Kings
Nation (“Latin Kings”), was distributing heroin and fentanyl. Velez employed family members and other Latin
Kings members and associates to process, package and distribute the drugs from
apartment buildings on Hamilton Street and Elliot Street in Hartford. During the investigation, law enforcement
conducted multiple controlled purchases of narcotics from Velez and other
members of the drug trafficking organization.
On April 28, 2017, Velez, Amaral and others were involved in
a shootout after they confronted a rival drug dealer in the area of Franklin
Avenue and Barker Street in Hartford.
Amaral, who was armed, was shot in the leg during the gunfire exchange.
On May 1, 2018, a grand jury returned a 41-count indictment
charging Velez, Amaral and eight other members and associates of the Latin
Kings.
Amaral has been detained since his arrest on state charges
on September 15, 2017. On February 5,
2019, pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of conspiracy to possess a
firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and one count of possession
of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Velez was arrested on related federal narcotics offenses on
December 7, 2017, and was subsequently released on bond. He has been detained since April 5, 2018,
when his bond was revoked. On February
22, 2019, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute one
kilogram or more of heroin and/or 400 grams or more of fentanyl, and one count
of conspiracy to use and carry a firearm in relation to, and furtherance of, a
drug trafficking crime. He awaits
sentencing.
The FBI Task Force includes members of the Hartford Police
Department, East Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and
Connecticut Department of Correction.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian
P. Leaming.
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