Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News
Headline: East Hartford Man Sentenced to More Than Six Years in Federal Prison for Distributing Heroin
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that JOEL GONZALEZ, also known as “Tuti,” 34, of East Hartford, was sentenced yesterday by Senior U.S. District Judge Alfred V. Covello in Hartford to 77 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for distributing heroin.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in November and December 2015, the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crime Gang Task Force and Hartford Police made a total of six controlled purchases of heroin from GONZALEZ at 71 Warrenton Avenue and 30-32 Putnam Street in Hartford.
GONZALEZ was arrested on December 16, 2015. On that date, a search of his East Hartford residence revealed 30 bags of heroin and $23,302 in cash; a search of 71 Warrenton Avenue revealed 2,000 bags of heroin and $5,298 in cash, and a search of 30-32 Putnam Street revealed 330 bags of heroin, approximately 30 grams of crack cocaine, approximately 12 grams of cocaine and $2,762 in cash.
GONZALEZ has been detained since his arrest. On May 10, 2017, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and distribution of, 100 grams or more of heroin.
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 was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Gustafson.