Hartford Fentanyl Dealer Sentenced To Three Years

HARTFORD, CT — A 41-year-old Hartford man who authorities said was dealing fentanyl was sentenced Friday to three years behind bars for distributing the drug and illegally possessing a gun.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced Anthony Dones, also known as “Ant,” 41, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 36 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing fentanyl and unlawfully possessing a firearm.

According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from an investigation conducted by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force and Hartford Police Department.

Authorities were investigating drug trafficking and related criminal acts being committed by members and associates of the Los Solidos and Latin Kings street gangs in Hartford’s South End.

Avery said between January and April 2020, investigators conducted multiple controlled purchases of fentanyl from Dones and his associate, Juan Laureano, in the vicinity of Dones’ Montrose Street residence.

Dones and Laureano were arrested on April 8, 2020.

When investigators arrived at Dones’ residence on that date, they found Dones had just flushed an unknown quantity of fentanyl down the toilet, federal officials said.

A search of Dones’ residence revealed he was using his basement to process and package fentanyl for street sale, Avery said.

Federal officials said the search revealed a small quantity of fentanyl, narcotics processing materials and a loaded .45 caliber pistol.

On March 15, 2022, Dones pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and distribution, of fentanyl, and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

Dones, who had been released on bond, was remanded to custody at the conclusion of Friday’s court proceeding.

Laureano, of Hartford, pleaded guilty and, on March 30, 2022, was sentenced to 18 months of imprisonment.

This investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force and the Hartford Police Department.