Norwalk Resident Pleads Guilty To Fentanyl Trafficking Charge: Feds

NORWALK, CT — A Norwalk man accused of trafficking fentanyl pled guilty this week in Bridgeport federal court, U.S. Attorney for Connecticut Vanessa Roberts Avery announced in a news release Wednesday.

According to court documents and statements made in court, the Drug Enforcement Administration and Norwalk police made controlled purchases of fentanyl from Jose De Jesus Vega-Cervantes, a 45-year-old citizen of Mexico last residing in Norwalk, in July and August 2023.

Vega-Cervantes was arrested Aug. 22, 2023, after he tried to sell a kilogram of fentanyl to someone working with law enforcement, Avery said.

According to Avery, Vega-Cervantes pled guilty Tuesday to possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum prison term of five years and a maximum term of 40 years.

Vega-Cervantes has been detained since his arrest last year. A sentencing date has not been scheduled yet, Avery said.