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Press Release

Armed Heroin Trafficker Sentenced to More Than 7 Years in Federal Prison

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Connecticut

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that MIGUEL DIAZ, also known as “Smooth,” 35, of Hartford, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 90 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for possessing heroin with the intent to distribute and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in May 2015, DIAZ led Hartford police on a high-speed pursuit, during which he threw a bag containing more than 300 wax paper sleeves of heroin from his car.  DIAZ drove through lanes of opposing traffic, maneuvered recklessly and nearly collided with several cars, forcing officers to stop the pursuit.  Officers apprehended DIAZ a short time later at his Hartford residence.  A search of DIAZ’s person revealed approximately $2,400 in cash, and a search of his apartment yielded additional heroin, packaging material, a loaded 9mm Hi-Point Model C-9 handgun and 9mm ammunition.

DIAZ has been detained since his arrest.  He pleaded guilty on November 18, 2015.

DIAZ has 16 prior convictions, including convictions for weapons and drug offenses.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force and the Hartford Police Department.  The FBI Task Force includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael J. Gustafson and Gabriel J. Vidoni.

Updated February 12, 2016

Topics
Drug Trafficking
Project Safe Neighborhoods