Hartford Man Sentenced to 3 Years in Federal Prison for Firearm and Drug Offenses

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that MIGUEL MARTINEZ, also known as “Nitro,” 34, of Hartford, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 36 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for firearm and drug offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from a law enforcement investigation headed by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force and the Hartford Police Department’s Vice and Narcotics Division targeting gang violence and narcotics trafficking in Hartford.  In May 2018, Martinez and nine other alleged members and associates of the Almighty Latin Kings Nation were charged with offenses related to the distribution of heroin, fentanyl and crack cocaine in Hartford.  Four of the defendants, including Martinez, were charged with firearm offenses.

On June 8, 2017, Martinez sold a Taurus 9mm pistol, loaded with 10 rounds of ammunition, to an individual working with law enforcement.  At the time of the sale, Martinez was a convicted felon and stated that the gun had been used to pistol whip someone and that it may still have blood on it.  On June 23, 2017, Martinez sold heroin and fentanyl to the same individual.

Martinez was arrested on May 10, 2018.  On August 9, 2018, while he was released on bond and wearing an electronic monitoring device, Martinez sold crack cocaine to an undercover police officer.  His bond was revoked on August 22, 2018.  On October 16, 2018, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, heroin and fentanyl.

The FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian P. Leaming.