John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DOMINICK PACIFICO, 34, of Stony Point, New York, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for trafficking cocaine.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in May 2017, the DEA’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force began an investigation into the Stamford-area cocaine trafficking activity of Stephen Mazzo. On May 31, 2017, investigators conducting surveillance on Mazzo observed Mazzo exit a Norwalk hotel carrying a plastic shopping bag that he had not been carrying when he had entered the hotel. Law enforcement stopped Mazzo’s vehicle a short time later on Route 15 south in Stamford. A search of the vehicle and the plastic shopping bag revealed more than 400 grams of cocaine. Mazzo was arrested on state charges at that time.
Investigators returned to the hotel and determined that Mazzo had met with PACIFICO, who had been residing at the hotel for several weeks. A search of PACIFICO’s hotel room revealed items used to package drugs for distribution, and a search of PACIFICO’s vehicle revealed approximately 959 grams of cocaine separated in multiple packages for distribution, and $34,525 in cash.
On December 7, 2017, PACIFICO pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, 500 grams or more of cocaine.
Mazzo has pleaded guilty to a related charge and awaits sentencing.
The DEA’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force includes members of the DEA, Connecticut State Police and the Norwalk, Stamford, Stratford and Milford Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Vizcarrondo.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
