New Haven Man, 37, Fentanyl Trafficker Tied To Fatal Guilford OD, Gets 23 Years In Prison: Feds

NEW HAVEN, CT — Willie Franco, 37, of New Haven, was sentenced in federal court Wednesday to serve 23 years in federal prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release, for narcotics trafficking and firearm possession offenses, and for violating the conditions of his supervised release from a prior federal conviction, according to David X. Sullivan, U.S. Attorney for Connecticut.

According to Sullivan, court documents and statements made in court, in August 2016, Franco was sentenced in Hartford federal court to 80 months of imprisonment, followed by 10 years of supervised release, for distributing crack cocaine and heroin. That investigation also revealed that, in January 2015, Franco distributed heroin to an individual in East Haven who died after ingesting the drug. Franco was released from federal prison in December 2020.

In 2021, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Narcotics and Bulk Cash Trafficking Task Force and Drug Enforcement Administration began investigating resumed narcotics trafficking activity by Franco and his then girlfriend, Daniella Fox, Sullivan said.

"The investigation revealed that, beginning in approximately February 2021, parcels originating in Arizona and California that likely contained narcotics had been mailed to addresses associated with Franco and Fox," the prosecutor said. "Investigators also determined that two overdose deaths in August 2021 in Branford and Guilford, and one overdose death in September 2021 in Milford, were connected to Franco’s drug activities."

Then, in early March 2022, investigators intercepted a U.S. Postal Service package "destined for an address in East Haven associated with Franco and Fox," he said.

"A court-authorized search of the parcel revealed approximately one kilogram of cocaine and one kilogram of fentanyl. On March 7, 2022, investigators made a controlled delivery of the intercepted parcel to the East Haven address," Sullivan noted.

Franco and Fox, who were waiting in a car that was parked on the street, were arrested after Fox retrieved the package.

"A subsequent search of Franco and Fox’s New Haven residence resulted in the seizure of more than one kilogram of fentanyl, a quantity of crack cocaine, digital scales and other narcotics packaging paraphernalia, a loaded Glock .40 pistol with an obliterated serial number, a drum extended magazine for a rifle, a bulletproof vest, ammunition, and more than $300,000 in cash," Sullivan said.

According to the U.S. Attorney, analysis of cellphones seized from Franco "revealed hundreds of videos depicting Franco’s drug trafficking activity and possession of firearms."

"In certain cellphone recordings intended for his drug suppliers, Franco complains that the fentanyl is not strong enough and says he needs fentanyl strong enough to kill people," Sullivan said.

In February 2025, a federal jury panel Franco guilty of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and 500 grams or more of cocaine, possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, records show.

The New Haven and East Haven police departments helped with the case.