Member of Fairfield County Heroin Trafficking Ring Sentenced to Five Years in Federal Prison

Nora R. Dannehy, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MICHAEL PESANTE, formerly of East Avenue, Bridgeport, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by eight years of supervised release, for his involvement in a Fairfield County heroin trafficking ring. On December 27, 2007, PESANTE pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 100 grams or more of heroin.

According to documents filed with the Court and statements made in court, Edwin Sanchez, also known as “Trix,” was the leader of a drug organization that, from 1996 through 2006, provided large amounts of heroin to drug-trafficking gangs based in Bridgeport. Bags of heroin were stamped with unique brand names, such as “Son of Sam,” “Helta Skelta,” “Step It Up,” and “Son of Satan.” PESANTE worked for the organization at sessions during which heroin was processed, packaged, and stamped for street sale. PESANTE also purchased heroin from high-ranking members of the organization that he, in turn, sold to customers.

On September 9, 2008, Sanchez was sentenced to 24 years of imprisonment

Sanchez and several of co-defendants also have forfeited real estate, numerous luxury automobiles, jewelry, and firearms.

This matter has been investigated by members of the Federal Bureau of Investigation - Bridgeport Violent Crimes Safe Streets Task Force, consisting of federal agents and local and state officers from the Connecticut State Police, and the Bridgeport, Trumbull, and Norwalk Police Departments. These cases are being prosecuted by Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Alina P. Reynolds and Assistant U.S. Attorney Harold H. Chen.