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New Haven Man Sentenced to Five Years in Federal Prison for Role in Narcotics Distribution Ring

U.S. Attorney’s Office November 16, 2009
  • District of Connecticut (203) 821-3700

Nora R. Dannehy, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ERNESTO MARTINEZ, also known as “Poopie,” 24, of Exchange Street, New Haven, was sentenced today by Senior United States District Judge Peter C. Dorsey in New Haven to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for his involvement in a drug trafficking organization that distributed cocaine, crack cocaine and heroin in and around New Haven. On October 3, 2008, BAEZ pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, five grams or more of cocaine base (“crack cocaine”).

According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from a 10-month investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Safe Streets Gang Task Force into a narcotics trafficking organization headed by MARTINEZ’s cousin, Nelson Rodriguez, also known as “Nellie Rock.” The investigation included the use of confidential informants, controlled purchases of drugs and court-authorized wiretaps on telephones known to be used by Rodriguez and his associates to distribute narcotics.

The charge to which MARTINEZ pleaded guilty stems from an incident that occurred on May 14, 2007. On that date, MARTINEZ sold crack cocaine to an individual working with law enforcement.

On March 6, 2009, Rodriguez was sentenced to 20 years of imprisonment for his leadership of this narcotics trafficking ring.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, and several local police departments that participate in the FBI’s Safe Streets Gang Task Force, including the Ansonia Police Department, Milford Police Department, New Haven Police Department, and the Connecticut Department of Correction. The case was prosecuted by Patrick F. Caruso of the United States Attorney’s Office Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force.

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