Vanessa Roberts Avery, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut
A federal jury in New Haven has convicted Willie Franco, a 36-year-old resident of New Haven, on charges related to narcotics trafficking and firearm possession. The verdict was delivered following a trial that commenced on February 20.
The case stems from an investigation revealing Franco's involvement in drug distribution dating back to January 2015, when he supplied heroin leading to a fatal overdose in East Haven. In August 2016, Franco received an 80-month prison sentence for distributing crack cocaine and heroin. He was released in December 2020.
In December 2021, authorities began probing renewed narcotics activities involving Franco and his then-girlfriend Daniella Fox. Parcels believed to contain drugs were sent from Arizona and California to addresses linked with the duo. These activities were connected to multiple overdose deaths in Branford, Guilford, and Milford during mid-2021.
Evidence presented at trial showed that investigators intercepted a parcel addressed to Franco and Fox containing significant quantities of cocaine and fentanyl. A controlled delivery led to their arrest on March 7, 2022. A search of their residence uncovered more drugs, firearms, cash exceeding $300,000, and other illicit items.
Franco was found guilty of several charges including conspiracy to distribute large quantities of fentanyl and cocaine, possessing firearms during drug trafficking crimes, and unlawful firearm possession by a felon. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years imprisonment.
Daniella Fox has already pleaded guilty to related charges and is awaiting sentencing.
The investigation involved multiple agencies including the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Narcotics Task Force and Drug Enforcement Administration with local police departments' support. The prosecution team includes Assistant U.S. Attorneys Konstantin Lantsman and Hal Chen.
