Hartford Man Sentenced to Eight Years in Federal Prison for Distributing Heroin and Cocaine

Nora R. Dannehy, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that REYNALDO LAUREANO, also known as “Pichy,” 36, of Allen Place, Hartford, was sentenced today by Senior United States District Judge Warren W. Eginton in Bridgeport to 97 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for his participation in a Hartford-area narcotics trafficking ring. On November 4, 2009, LAUREANO pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin.

This matter stems from “Operation Solid Gold,” a joint law enforcement investigation headed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force. The year-long investigation included the use of court-authorized wiretaps, controlled purchases of cocaine and heroin, and physical surveillance. As a result of the investigation, 56 individuals were charged with various offenses related to the distribution of cocaine and heroin in and around Hartford.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between September and November 2008, investigators intercepted calls over LAUREANO’s cell phone that, along with physical surveillance and other information developed during this investigation, revealed that LAUREANO controlled a set of drug dealers who, in turn, controlled the drug trade in the area of Broad Street and Madison Street in Hartford. During an approximately two-month period in which investigators intercepted calls over LAUREANO’s phone, LAUREANO was continually involved in drug-related communications throughout the day. On the calls, LAUREANO discussed with his associates the distribution of cocaine and heroin, their ongoing concern regarding the police, and their use, or threatened use, of violence against competitors.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force, the Statewide Cooperative Crime Control Task Force of the Connecticut State Police and the Hartford Police Department, with assistance from the Statewide Organized Crime Investigative Task Force of the Connecticut State Police, Connecticut State Police, Troop H, and the Connecticut Department of Correction. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Geoffrey M. Stone and Brian P. Leaming.