Hartford Man Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl Distribution Charge

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JONATHAN RIVERA, also known as “Gitto,” 26, of Hartford, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to one count of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on December 5, 2018, Rivera was arrested in Hartford’s South End after he sold 25 bags of fentanyl mixed with crack cocaine to another individual.  A subsequent search of Rivera’s Fairfield Avenue residence revealed more than 15,000 bags containing a similar mix of fentanyl and crack.

Judge Hall scheduled sentencing for October 16, 2019, at which time Rivera faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years.

Rivera, who was released on bond, was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service at the conclusion of today’s court proceeding.

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Gang Task Force and the Hartford Police Department.  The Task Force includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian P. Leaming.