Former Torrington Resident Sentenced to 4 Years in Federal Prison for Trafficking Heroin and Cocaine

 John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that HENLY FELIZ SANTIAGO, 43, a citizen of the Dominican Republic last residing in Torrington, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to 48 months of imprisonment for trafficking heroin and cocaine

According to court documents and statements made in court, in January 2018, law enforcement in Indiana seized approximately three kilograms of heroin that was being transported to Santiago, and investigators subsequently learned that Santiago was involved in the cross-country transportation of heroin and cocaine to Connecticut.  On January 20, 2018, an Orange County (N.Y) Sheriff conducted a motor vehicle stop of a tractor-trailer at a toll barrier on Interstate 87 in Newburgh, New York.  Saul Onzures of El Paso, Texas, was driving the truck and Francisco Castillo, also of El Paso, was a passenger in the truck.  A search of the truck revealed 10 kilograms of cocaine that was destined for Santiago in Torrington.

Santiago has been detained since his arrest on November 8, 2018.  On January 15, 2019, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and distribution of, one kilogram or more of heroin.

Santiago faces immigration proceedings at the conclusion of his prison term.

Onzures and Castillo pleaded guilty to related charges and were sentenced to prison terms of 27 months and 25 months, respectively.

This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jocelyn Courtney Kaoutzanis.