Date: 06-12-2018

Case Style:

Case Number: 3:17-cr-00062-JAM

Judge: Jeffrey A. Meyer

Court: United States District Court for the District of Connecticut (New Haven County)

Plaintiff's Attorney: Natasha M. Freismuth and Patrick F. Caruso

Defendant's Attorney: John Calcagni and Robert Frost

Description: New Have, CT - Bronx Resident Sentenced to 4 Years in Federal Prison for Supplying Heroin to New Haven Drug Ring

PABLO JOSE CRUZ, 46, a citizen of the Dominican Republic last residing in the Bronx, N.Y., was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 48 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for supplying heroin to a New Haven drug trafficking ring.

According to court documents and statements made in court, the DEA’s New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad targeted a New Haven-based heroin trafficking organization led by Bienvenido and Antonio Gonzalez. The investigation, which included court-authorized wiretaps, controlled purchases of narcotics and physical and video surveillance, revealed that the Gonzalez brothers purchased bulk quantities of heroin from CRUZ and other New York suppliers and sold the heroin through a network of redistributors in New Haven and elsewhere. CRUZ regularly traveled from New York to Connecticut to deliver up to a kilogram of heroin at a time to the Gonzalez organization.

The investigation resulted in federal charges against 24 individuals.

CRUZ was arrested on March 15, 2017. On that date, a search of a vehicle that CRUZ traveled in to drive to a stash house used by Bienvenido Gonzalez led to the seizure of a kilogram of heroin. A search of the stash house resulted in the seizure of another 400 grams of heroin and $10,000 in cash.

CRUZ has been detained since his arrest. On January 23, 2018, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and distribution of, heroin.

CRUZ, a lawful permanent resident of the U.S., faces immigration proceedings when he completes his prison term.

Bienvenido Gonzalez and Antonio Gonzalez pleaded guilty to related charges. On March 28, Bienvenido Gonzalez was sentenced to 144 months of imprisonment. Antonio Gonzalez awaits sentencing.

The DEA’s New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad includes officers from the Bristol, Hamden, Milford, Monroe, New Haven, Shelton, Wallingford and Wilton Police Departments. The New Haven, East Haven and West Haven Police Departments, together with the U.S. Coast Guard, provided valuable assistance to the investigation.

Outcome: Defendant was sentenced to to 48 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release.

Plaintiff's Experts:

Defendant's Experts:

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