East Hartford Man Sentenced to 66 Months in Prison for Role in Heroin Trafficking Ring

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that Angel Rosa, also known as “Booby” and “Little Booby,” 21, of East Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 66 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for his role in a heroin trafficking ring.

According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from Operation Solid Sweep, a joint law enforcement investigation headed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force and the Hartford Police Department into gang-related narcotics trafficking in Hartford’s South End. The investigation specifically targeted a drug trafficking organization headed by Angel Rosa, also known as “Little” and “Daddy,” who is a member of the Los Solidos street gang. Rosa’s cousin, Angel Rosa, also known as “Mo Betta” and “Fab,” supervised the daily operations of the organization, which distributed heroin and other narcotics in the Zion Street area.

Rosa, who is Mo Betta’s son, distributed heroin from 584 Zion Street almost every day during the course of the investigation.

As a result of the investigation, 21 individuals were charged with various federal offenses, and law enforcement officers seized narcotics, one firearm, approximately $230,000 in cash, eight vehicles, and jewelry.

Rosa was arrested on April 11, 2013. On December 19, 2013, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin.

Angel Rosa, aka “Little” and “Daddy,” and Angel Rosa, aka “Mo Betta” and “Fab,” have each pleaded guilty and await sentencing.

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force, which includes members of the Connecticut State Police, Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, Connecticut Department of Correction, and Connecticut National Guard. The Connecticut State Police’s Emergency Services Unit; Hartford Police Department’s Emergency Response Team; Capital Region Emergency Response Team; Drug Enforcement Administration; Homeland Security Investigations; and the New Britain, East Hartford, Wethersfield, and Manchester Police Departments have provided valuable assistance to the investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian Leaming and Patrick Caruso.