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Date: 08-12-2018
Case Style:
United States of America v. Richard Rivera
Hartford County Courthouse - Hartford, Connecticut
Case Number: 3:17-cr-00089-AWT
Judge: Alvin W. Thompson
Court: United States District Court for the District of Connecticut (Hartford County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: Geoffrey M. Stone
Defendant's Attorney: Allison Murray Near - FPD
Description: Hartford, CT - Hartford Man Sentenced to Prison for Distributing Heroin
RICHARD RIVERA, 35, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to 24 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for distributing heroin.
According to court documents and statements made in court, a DEA Hartford Task Force investigation revealed that individuals were distributing heroin from the Katty Grocery store located at 584 Franklin Avenue in Hartford. During the investigation, which included court-authorized wiretaps, RIVERA obtained distribution quantities of heroin from Franklyn Caraballo-Almonte at the Katty Grocery. In December 2016 and January 2017, an undercover agent made multiple controlled purchases of heroin from RIVERA.
On January 31, 2017, RIVERA was arrested on state narcotics charges after he agreed to sell 900 bags of heroin to the undercover agent. On that date, investigators seized from RIVERA 950 bags of heroin and $1,642 in cash. A subsequent search of RIVERA’s South Street residence revealed quantities of crack cocaine and marijuana, $14,963 in cash, and items used to process and package narcotics for street sale.
RIVERA has been detained since his arrest. On February 21, 2018, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin.
RIVERA forfeited the cash seized during the investigation.
Caraballo-Almonte has pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.
The DEA’s Hartford Task Force includes personnel from the DEA Hartford Resident Office and the Bristol, Hartford, East Hartford, Manchester, New Britain, Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, Windsor Locks and Willimantic Police Departments.
CONSPIRACY TO DISTRIBUTE CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE (Conspiracy to Distribute and to Possess with Intent to Distribute Heroin and Cocaine)
(1)
USE COMMUNICATIONS FACILITY - CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE - DISTR. (Use of a Telephone t Facilitate Commission of a Drug-Trafficking Felony)
(6)
Outcome: Defendant was sentenced to 24 month's in prison followed by four years of supervised release.
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments: