Hartford Man Sentenced to 42 Months for Fentanyl Distribution and Gun Possession Offenses

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that LUIS ROBLES, also known as “Lou,” 26, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 42 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for fentanyl distribution and gun 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 Jose Tirado, also known as “Joselito” and “Leet,” and also to individuals in New York and Maine.  Tirado further distributed fentanyl to Robles, who sold the drug to customers in Hartford’s North End, including the SANA apartment complex located on Main Street in Hartford, which is commonly referred to as the “Sands,” where Robles lived.

Robles was arrested on March 9, 2022.  On that date, a court-authorized search of his residence revealed approximately 850 wax sleeves of fentanyl, 12 grams of loose fentanyl, approximately 15 grams of crack cocaine, assorted drug paraphernalia, a loaded 9mm pistol that had been reported stolen in December 2020, a loaded .357 magnum revolver with an obliterated serial number, a loaded .22 caliber pistol, and more than 100 rounds of ammunition.

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

On January 31, 2023, Robles pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, and one count of possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.  Robles has been detained since his arrest.

Feliciano and Tirado have 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.