Federal authorities have charged 11 individuals in connection with a narcotics trafficking operation based in Bristol and central Connecticut. The announcement was made by David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for New England, and Bristol Police Chief Mark Morello.
The accused are Joshua Ocasio (also known as “J” and “Jim”), Jose Rosado-Ortiz, Ryan Jassor, Debra Jankowski, Toni Risucci, James Warkoski, Ryan Riback, Kyle Mastroianni, Robert Pinette, Griffin Deprey, and Quran Muhammad. They face federal charges following a long-term investigation led by the DEA New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad and the Bristol Police Department.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Ocasio allegedly led the drug trafficking network. Investigators claim that Ocasio worked with Rosado-Ortiz and Jassor to acquire and distribute fentanyl, cocaine, crack-cocaine, counterfeit pills containing fentanyl, oxycodone, Adderall, and Xanax. Other defendants reportedly acted as "drug runners," conducting transactions on behalf of Ocasio. Muhammad is alleged to have facilitated transactions for Ocasio while also distributing drugs he obtained from him.
Authorities allege that this drug network is connected to five overdose deaths in Bristol and one in Berlin between April 2024 and May 2025.
Ocasio and Rosado-Ortiz were arrested on December 4, 2025. During searches conducted at their residences that day, law enforcement reported seizing approximately $440,000 in cash along with watches and jewelry valued at about $270,000 from Ocasio’s home. At Rosado-Ortiz’s residence officers found around two kilograms of cocaine; one kilogram of crack cocaine; 250 grams of fentanyl; 200 grams of methamphetamine; thousands of prescription pills including oxycodone and Xanax; tabs of LSD; ketamine; empty wrappers indicating prior large-scale cocaine storage; firearms including an AR-15 style rifle and a ghost gun; $10,000 worth of jewelry; and over $7,000 in cash.
A federal grand jury returned an indictment on January 7 charging all defendants with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. Depending on the quantity attributed to each individual if convicted: Ocasio, Rosado-Ortiz, Risucci,Riback,and Mastroianni face mandatory minimum sentences of ten years up to life imprisonment; Jankowski,Pinnette,and Deprey face five years minimum up to forty years maximum imprisonment; while Jassor,Warkoski,and Muhammad could receive up to twenty years.
Additionally,Ocasio faces charges related specifically to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl resulting in death or serious bodily injury after an October 26th ,2024 fatal overdose involving a twenty-year-old woman.This offense carries a mandatory minimum sentence of twenty years.The indictment also includes additional charges against Rosado-Ortiz for drug distribution offenses carrying similar penalties as well as firearm possession during drug trafficking which mandates at least five consecutive years’ imprisonment.The government seeks forfeiture of seized assets including cash,jewelry,and vehicles associated with these crimes.
“As alleged ,Joshua Ocasio operated a sophisticated drug trafficking network that ,quite literally,destroyed lives in Bristoland surrounding communitiesin central Connecticut,” said U.S.Attorney David X.Sullivan.“I thankthe membersof the DEA New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad,the Bristol Police Department,andthe many other police departments that have workedon this long-term investigation which resultedin dismantlingthis drug networkand bringing Mr.Ocasioand his associatesto justice.The U.S.Attorney’s Officeand our law enforcement partners continueto target those who profitfromthe illegal distributionof fentanyland other dangerous narcotics.This investigation clearly establishedan indisputable connectionto a drug-related deaththat necessitatesthe chargingof this20-year mandatory minimum offense.”
“DEA is committedto investigatingand dismantlinglarge-scale poly drug trafficking organizationslike this one operatingthroughout central Connecticut,” said DEA Special Agentin Charge Jarod Forget.“This organizationwas allegedly responsiblefor the distributionof fentanyl,cocaine ,crack cocaine,counterfeit pills lacedwith fentanyland pharmaceuticalswhich can be linkedto several overdose deathsin thestate.This investigation demonstratesthe strengthof collaborative local,stateand federal law enforcement effortsin Connecticutand our strong partnershipwiththe U.S.Attorney’s Officeto seekand bringto justice anyonewho engagesin these crimes.”
“The Bristol Police Department commends the DEA,every memberof this Task Force,andthe U.S.Attorney’s Officefor their relentless pursuitof justiceand their unwavering commitmentto dismantling illicitdrug trafficking networks,” saidBristol Police ChiefMark Morello.“These efforts hold accountablethose whose actions poisonour communitiesand contribute directlytoloss of life.Becauseof this work,the Cityof Bristolandthe StateofConnecticutare safer.TheBristolPoliceDepartmentremains resolutein its missiontoprotectand servethe communitywith integrityand professionalism,and we will continue these enforcement effortsevery daytoprotectour communityandsave lives.”
U.S.Attorney Sullivan emphasizedthat an indictmentis not evidenceof guilt.All chargesare allegationsandeach defendantis presumed innocentunlessproven guiltybeyond areasonable doubt.
The investigation involved multiple agenciesincluding localpolice departmentsacrossConnecticut,theConnecticut Forensic Laboratory,and various task forces.Prosecutionis being handledby AssistantU.S.Attorneys Brendan Keefeand Natasha Freismuth.This case falls under Operation Take Back America,a national initiative focusedon combatingillegal immigration,dismantlingcartelsandtacklingviolent crime.
