Jose C. Rivera, 37, of Manchester, was sentenced on April 30 by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 66 months in federal prison and three years of supervised release for narcotics trafficking and firearm possession offenses, according to an announcement by David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies to combat drug trafficking organizations operating within Connecticut. According to court documents and statements made in court, the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force and New Britain Police Department investigated a group led by Wilfredo Ortiz that distributed drugs out of Supreme Automotive on Main Street in New Britain. The investigation used wiretaps, surveillance, and controlled purchases of cocaine from Ortiz and others.
Authorities identified Nelson Alejandro-Capo as a supplier who provided approximately six kilograms of cocaine through Eli Samuel O’Farrill-Fernandez as a middleman. On October 10, 2024, Alejandro-Capo met with Rivera at his former Rocky Hill residence; later that month Rivera was recorded discussing buying cocaine over a wiretap with O’Farrill-Fernandez. On November 14, 2024, Rivera and several co-conspirators were arrested during coordinated operations that included searches yielding over five kilograms of cocaine, more than 200 grams of fentanyl, about 30 grams of heroin, firearms, ammunition, cash totaling $75,000 plus $13,364 found at Rivera’s home along with drugs and processing materials.
Rivera pleaded guilty on November 25, 2025 to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes. He is required to report to prison on July 6 after being released on bond. Ortiz received a sentence of 135 months; Alejandro-Capo received144 months; O’Farrill-Fernandez received120 months.
The investigation involved multiple agencies including the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force; Homeland Security Investigations; Drug Enforcement Administration; Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division; U.S. Marshals Service; state police departments; local police departments across several cities including Manchester.
The U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut prosecutes federal crimes and handles civil cases for the government within the district according to its official website. The office serves all residents statewide from locations in New Haven, Hartford and Bridgeport while employing about sixty-eight assistant attorneys plus fifty-seven support staff members according to its official website. It operates under the Department of Justice according to its official website.
The office also advances justice initiatives intended to enhance quality-of-life outcomes for people living in Connecticut according to its official website. Its alumni have gone on become judges or elected officials according to its official website.
