Hartford Man Sentenced For Dealing Fentanyl: Feds

HARTFORD, CT —A Hartford man was sentenced to 18 months in prison for dealing fentanyl, according to a statement from Leonard C Boyle, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut. Juan Laureano, aka "Pito," 42, will also serve three years of supervised release.

According to prosecutors, the case stems from an investigation conducted by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force and Hartford Police Department into drug trafficking and crimes committed by members the Los Solidos and Latin Kings street gangs in Hartford’s South End.

Between January and April 2020, investigators conducted multiple controlled purchases of fentanyl from Laureano and his associate, Anthony Dones, in the vicinity of Dones’ Montrose Street home, according to prosecutors.

Laureano and Dones were arrested April 8, 2020. Law enforcement searched Dones’ home that day and found a small quantity of fentanyl, items used to process and package drugs for street sale, and a loaded .45 caliber pistol.

Laureano’s criminal history includes multiple state convictions and a federal conviction in 2013 for unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

Laureano pleaded guilty Oct. 15 to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and distribution, of fentanyl.

Laureano, who is released on bond, is required to report to prison May 11.

Dones pleaded guilty March 15 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. He awaits sentencing.