Hartford Man Sentenced to 6 Years in Federal Prison for Distributing Narcotics, Selling Gun

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that VINCENTE RIVERA, also known as “Macho,” 37, of Hartford, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 72 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for distributing crack cocaine and selling a firearm.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in September 2014, the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force and Hartford Police Department initiated an investigation into narcotics distribution, firearms trafficking and acts of violence carried out by members and associates Los Solidos in Hartford’s South End. The investigation, which included the use of court-authorized wiretaps and controlled purchases of heroin, crack cocaine and firearms, resulted in federal charges against approximately 30 individuals.

The investigation revealed that RIVERA was involved in the distribution of crack and powder cocaine. In February and March 2015, investigators intercepted numerous drug-related conversations over RIVERA’s telephone. In addition, in April 2015, RIVERA sold a .25 caliber pistol to a government informant.

RIVERA has been detained since his arrest on June 15, 2015. On August 12, 2016, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base (“crack”).

The FBI Task Force includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction. The Hartford Police Department’s Vice and Narcotics unit, Major Crimes unit, Shooting Task Force and South Conditions Unit have provided valuable assistance to the investigation, and the U.S. Marshals Service and Capitol Region Emergency Response Team (CREST) assisted with the arrests.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Gustafson.

This prosecution stems from Project Longevity, a comprehensive initiative to reduce gun violence in Connecticut’s major cities. Through Project Longevity, community members and law enforcement directly engage with members of groups that are prone to commit violence. A critical component of the Project Longevity strategy is the “call-in,” a face-to-face meeting where Project Longevity partners engage group members and deliver a community message against violence, a law enforcement message about the consequences of further violence and an offer of help for those who want it.

Members of Los Solidos attended call-ins that were held in April 2014 and August 2014.