Hartford Man on Federal Supervised Release Charged with Dealing Fentanyl

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, David Sundberg, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Hartford Police Chief Jason Thody announced that YACOV OCASIO, also known as “C-Low,” 23, of Hartford, was arrested today on a federal criminal complaint charging him with possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, fentanyl.

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, in December 2019, the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force and Hartford Police Department learned that Ocasio was selling fentanyl in Hartford.  Since May 2019, Ocasio has been on federal supervised release following a conviction for possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, heroin/fentanyl.  In that case, Ocasio distributed heroin/fentanyl that caused the overdose death of a 28-year-old Middletown man in August 2016.  In August 28, 2017, Ocasio was sentenced in Hartford federal court to 30 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for that offense.

It is further alleged that, between December 2019 and March 2020, investigators conducted seven controlled purchases of fentanyl from Ocasio.

Ocasio was arrested this morning at a hotel in Hartford where he was staying.  It is alleged that he possessed approximately 150 bags of fentanyl at the time of his arrest.

Pursuant to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), Ocasio was presented in court via videoconference.  U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert A. Richardson ordered Ocasio detained.

The charge of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, fentanyl carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.  Ocasio faces additional penalties if he is found to have violated the conditions of his supervised release.

U.S. Attorney Durham stressed that a complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang 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.