Guilty Plea For Norwalk Man In Federal Drug Trafficking Case

NORWALK, CT — Domenico Sandalo, a 46-year-old Norwalk resident, pleaded guilty in federal court Friday to one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, announced United States Attorney John Durham.

Sandalo was previously convicted of federal drug trafficking offenses in 2011 and 2013; on Friday he pleaded guilty to the latest charge before U.S. Magistrate Judge Donna F. Martinez via videoconference.

According to court documents and statements in June 2019, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force, Stamford Police Department and Norwalk Police Department received information that Sandalo was in possession of a large quantity of cocaine, oxycodone pills and marijuana.

As a result, investigators raided Sandalo's home that month and seized approximately 600 grams of cocaine, six kilograms of marijuana, 77 oxycodone pills, 46 fentanyl pills, 771 THC vape cartridges, and $53,943 in cash, according to authorities.

Sandalo is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant on March 10, 2021, at which time he faces a mandatory minimum prison term of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life. The penalties in this matter are enhanced based on Sandalo’s criminal history.

Sandalo is free on a $1.5 million bond pending sentencing.

The DEA’s Bridgeport HIDTA Task Force, includes personnel from the DEA Bridgeport Resident Office, the Connecticut State Police, and the Bridgeport, Norwalk, Stamford, Stratford, Milford and Danbury Police Departments.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria del Pilar Gonzalez.