Angel Quiros, also known as “Papa John,” has been sentenced to 63 months in federal prison for leading a drug trafficking organization in Waterbury. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford. After serving his prison term, Quiros will be subject to four years of supervised release.
According to information presented in court, the FBI’s Waterbury Safe Streets Gang Task Force and other law enforcement agencies investigated two separate drug trafficking organizations operating in Waterbury. Quiros led one group that operated around William Street, while Daniel Diaz-Rivera led another based on Maple Avenue. The investigation involved wiretaps, video surveillance, GPS tracking, and controlled narcotics purchases. Authorities found that both groups distributed cocaine, crack cocaine, and fentanyl through a network of sellers and often collaborated by sharing suppliers and working together.
As a result of the investigation, Quiros, Diaz-Rivera, and 15 others were charged with federal offenses. On November 29, 2023, several individuals including Quiros were arrested. Law enforcement executed multiple search warrants during the arrests and seized approximately 700 grams of crack cocaine, more than 900 vials of crack cocaine, about 200 grams of loose fentanyl, over 1,600 dose bags containing fentanyl or heroin, two stolen firearms with ammunition, and more than $39,000 in cash. From Quiros specifically, investigators recovered quantities of cocaine and crack cocaine along with over $6,000 in cash and jewelry valued at more than $24,000.
Quiros pleaded guilty on February 11, 2025 to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute at least 500 grams of cocaine. He had been released on a $100,000 bond pending sentencing and is required to report to prison on October 20, 2025.
Daniel Diaz-Rivera also pleaded guilty to the same charge and was sentenced on June 23, 2025 to serve 210 months in prison.
The FBI’s Waterbury Safe Streets Gang Task Force includes members from several agencies: the FBI itself; police departments from Waterbury and Naugatuck; as well as the Connecticut Department of Correction. Other agencies such as the DEA; U.S. Marshals Service; Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Connecticut State Police; Wolcott Police Department; and Meriden Police Department provided assistance during the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Natasha Freismuth and Shan Patel are prosecuting this case through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program. More details about OCDETF can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
U.S. Attorney David X. Sullivan expressed appreciation for cooperation from the Waterbury State Attorney’s Office during both investigation and prosecution phases.
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