East Hartford Man Sentenced To 3 Years In Prison For Drug Dealing

EAST HARTFORD, CT — An East Hartford man accused of having ties to a gang was sentenced to three years in prison for selling fentanyl and crack, according to a statement from prosecutors. Jose Restrepo, aka "Crack Baby," 39, will also serve three years of supervised release.

According to prosecutors, Restrepo's arrest was tied to an investigation by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force into drug trafficking and related criminal acts by the Los Solidos and Latin Kings street gangs.

Restrepo is a member of Los Solidos, prosecutors said. The investigation revealed that Restrepo and other gang members were dealing fentanyl and crack cocaine in Hartford and surrounding communities.

In March 2020, law enforcement learned that Restrepo was feuding with other members of Los Solidos and was selling drugs in East Hartford. Investigators made three controlled purchases of crack and one controlled purchase of fentanyl from Restrepo in East Hartford.

Restrepo was arrested March 17, 2020. At the time of his arrest, he possessed approximately 200 bags of fentanyl.

In August he pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, fentanyl and cocaine base.

Restrepo’s criminal history includes drug and firearm convictions, including a 2007 federal conviction for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.