Hartford Man Sent To Federal Prison For Drug, Gun Conviction: Feds

HARTFORD, CT — A Hartford man was sentenced to prison time in federal court Wednesday for both drug and gun convictions, authorities announced.

Marc H. Silverman, acting U.S. attorney for Connecticut, said Luis DeJesus, 30, of Hartford, was sentenced Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Hartford to 11 years of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for narcotics distribution and firearm possession offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, DeJesus’s criminal history includes felony convictions in state court for criminal possession of a firearm and third-degree burglary.

Silverman said, that in 2022, members of the Connecticut State Police’s Statewide Narcotics Task Force – North Central Office conducted a series of controlled purchases of narcotics from DeJesus.

Silverman said this resulted in DeJesus' arrest on state charges on Dec. 16, 2022.

On that date, authorities said a court-authorized search of his Hartford residence revealed approximately 460 grams of fentanyl, about 90 grams of crack cocaine, nearly a kilogram of marijuana, drug processing and packaging materials, a loaded Glock 45 9mm handgun, a loaded 9mm magazine, and $52,579 in cash.

The case was adopted for federal prosecution and, on March 7, 2023, a grand jury returned an indictment charging DeJesus with one count of possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and a quantity of cocaine, and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

After his federal arrest, DeJesus was released on a $100,000 bond and into home confinement at a family member's residence on Warren Street in Hartford.

On Nov. 20, 2023, DeJesus was again arrested after law enforcement executed a search warrant at the residence.

As investigators entered the residence, DeJesus threw fentanyl out of a window, Silverman said.

A search of the residence revealed an additional quantity of fentanyl, a small quantity of cocaine, and drug processing and packaging materials, he said.

In total, DeJesus possessed more than 490 grams of fentanyl on that date, according to authorities.

On Feb. 20, 2024, the grand jury returned a superseding indictment charging DeJesus with an additional count of possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.

DeJesus has been detained since Nov. 20, 2023. On Oct. 17, 2024, he pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

For the full announcement, click on this link.