John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that NATHANIEL DeJESUS, 20, of Hartford, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to fentanyl and crack cocaine distribution offenses.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in July 2019, after a spate of gun violence in Hartford, the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Gang Task Force, DEA, Hartford Police Department and other law enforcement agencies initiated an investigation targeting gang-related drug distribution and associated violence in north Hartford. During the investigation, law enforcement made controlled purchases of crack cocaine and fentanyl from DeJesus.
DeJesus was arrested on state charges on Aug. 28, 2019. At the time of his arrest he possessed fentanyl and crack packaged for distribution.
On Sept. 13, 2019, DeJesus was arrested on federal narcotics distribution charges. On that date, a search of his Andover Street residence revealed approximately 73 grams of fentanyl, more than two grams of crack, and items used to process and package narcotics for street sale.
DeJesus pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base (“crack"). Judge Dooley scheduled sentencing for May 22, 2020, at which time DeJesus faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.
DeJesus has been detained since Sept. 13, 2019.
The FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Gang Task Force includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Pierpont, Jr.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
