Hartford Gang Member Sentenced to 7 Years in Federal Prison for Fentanyl Distribution and Gun Possession Offenses

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOSE TIRADO, also known as “Joselito” and “Leet,” 42, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 84 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for fentanyl distribution and firearm possession offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from an investigation into gang-related drug trafficking and firearm possession by members of Los Solidos.  The investigation, which included court-authorized wiretaps, revealed that Luis Feliciano, also known as “Louminaty,” distributed fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and crack to customers and other distributors in the Hartford area, including Tirado, and also to individuals in New York and Maine.  Tirado further distributed fentanyl to other distributors and his own customer.  During the investigation, Tirado also brokered a gun transaction between a codefendant, Devin Texira, and another individual.

Tirado’s criminal history includes five felony drug convictions.  It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

On June 8, 2022, a grand jury returned an indictment charging Tirado, Feliciano, Texira, and 13 others with various narcotics distribution and firearm possession offenses.

Tirado was arrested on June 9, 2022.  On February 23, 2023, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.  He has been detained since his arrest.

Feliciano and Texira pleaded guilty and await sentencing.

This investigation has been conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force and the Hartford Police Department.  The Task Force includes members of the FBI, Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, New Britain Police Department, West Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian P. Leaming and Robert S. Ruff. through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program.  OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.  Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.