Vanessa Roberts Avery, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut
Luis DeJesus, a 30-year-old resident of Hartford, has been sentenced to 11 years in federal prison for drug trafficking and firearm possession offenses. The announcement was made by Marc H. Silverman, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut. U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea handed down the sentence, which includes five years of supervised release following imprisonment.
DeJesus's criminal record includes felony convictions for criminal possession of a firearm and third-degree burglary in state court. In 2022, the Connecticut State Police’s Statewide Narcotics Task Force – North Central Office conducted controlled purchases of narcotics from DeJesus, leading to his arrest on December 16, 2022. A search of his residence revealed significant quantities of fentanyl, crack cocaine, marijuana, drug processing materials, a loaded Glock handgun with ammunition, and over $52,000 in cash.
The case transitioned to federal prosecution when a grand jury indicted DeJesus on March 7, 2023. He faced charges for possessing with intent to distribute large amounts of fentanyl and cocaine and unlawful firearm possession as a felon.
After being released on bond into home confinement at a family member's residence in Hartford, DeJesus was arrested again on November 20, 2023. Law enforcement executed a search warrant during which he attempted to dispose of fentanyl by throwing it out a window. Additional drugs were found inside the residence.
On February 20, 2024, the grand jury issued a superseding indictment against DeJesus for further drug-related charges. He has been detained since his second arrest and pleaded guilty on October 17, 2024.
The investigation involved collaboration between the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Resident Office and the Connecticut State Police’s Statewide Narcotics Task Force – North Central Office with support from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney A. Reed Durham prosecuted the case.
