John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that NATHANIEL DeJESUS, 20, of Hartford, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to fentanyl and crack cocaine distribution offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in July 2019, after a spate of gun violence in Hartford, the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Gang Task Force, DEA, Hartford Police Department and other law enforcement agencies initiated an investigation targeting gang-related drug distribution and associated violence in north Hartford.  During the investigation, law enforcement made controlled purchases of crack cocaine and fentanyl from DeJesus.

DeJesus was arrested on state charges on August 28, 2019.  At the time of his arrest he possessed fentanyl and crack packaged for distribution.

On September 13, 2019, DeJesus was arrested on federal narcotics distribution charges.  On that date, a search of his Andover Street residence revealed approximately 73 grams of fentanyl, more than two grams of crack, and items used to process and package narcotics for street sale.

DeJesus pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base (“crack”).  Judge Dooley scheduled sentencing for May 22, 2020, at which time DeJesus faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

DeJesus has been detained since September 13, 2019.

The FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Gang 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 John T. Pierpont, Jr.

U.S. Attorney John H. Durham, Brian C. Turner, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, and Jason Thody, Interim Chief of the Hartford Police Department, today announced that 11 men have been charged with various federal offenses related to the distribution of fentanyl and other narcotics in Hartford and, the illegal possession of firearms.

In July 2019, after a spate of gun violence in Hartford, the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Gang Task Force, DEA, Hartford Police Department and other law enforcement agencies, including the East Hartford Police Department and Connecticut State Police, initiated an investigation targeting gang-related drug distribution and associated violence in north Hartford.  The investigation has included numerous controlled purchases of narcotics.

On September 11, 2019, a grand jury in Hartford returned seven indictments charging 10 of the defendants.  Nine defendants were arrested this morning, one defendant was previously arrested on a state parole violation, and one defendant was arrested and indicted in August.  All are presently detained.

In association with today’s arrests, law enforcement conducted four federal search warrants and recovered two firearms in the home of one of the defendants.

During today’s operation, several individuals also were arrested on various state charges.

Unless otherwise noted, the following individuals are Hartford residents and were arrested today:

PEDRO ALVARADO, 43, is charged in a two-count indictment with one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and one count of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.  The indictment alleges that, on July 24, 2019, Alvarado possessed a loaded Smith & Wesson, Model 422, .22 caliber handgun, and marijuana.  Prior to that date, Alvarado was convicted in state court of felony risk of injury, assault, larceny and narcotics offenses.

HANEEF BROOKS, 40, is charged in an indictment with one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.  The indictment alleges that, on July 15, 2019, Brooks possessed a 7.62x39mm Norinco SKS rifle.  Prior to that date, Brooks was convicted in state court of felony weapon possession and drug offenses.

NATHANIEL DEJESUS, 19, is charged in a three-count indictment with one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, cocaine base (“crack”), one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, fentanyl and cocaine base; and one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base.  It is alleged that DeJesus possessed and/or distributed the narcotics on three occasions in August 2019.

BRIAN EVANS, 20 and JORDAN MADDOX, 22, are charged in a five-count indictment with possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, fentanyl.  The indictment alleges that Evans and Maddox distributed the drug on multiple occasions in July and August 2019.  During one of the transactions, Maddox also distributed a quantity of crack cocaine.  A search of Evans’ residence today revealed two firearms.

JOSHUA JENKINS, 26, KENDALL FAIR, 20, and TRELIQUE WARD, 20, are charged in a 10-count indictment with various offenses related to the distribution of fentanyl and crack cocaine between July and September 2019.  Ward was previously arrested for a state parole violation and is currently in state custody.

SHAUN HAWKINS, 42, is charged in an indictment with three counts of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, cocaine base, related to his distribution of the drug on three occasions in August and September 2019.

CHRISTIAN PATTERSON, 19, is charged in a three-count indictment with one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution, of cocaine base, and two counts of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of fentanyl and cocaine base.  It is alleged that Patterson distributed the drugs in August and September 2019.

On August 21, 2019, a grand jury returned an indictment charging McCLENDON JONES, 39, of Bloomfield, with two counts of possession with intent to distribute multiple controlled substances, including, fentanyl, heroin, cocaine base, cocaine, PCP and marijuana. On August 8, 2019, it is alleged that Jones sped away from investigators who were conducting a traffic stop in Hartford.  Jones’ vehicle struck a city transit bus and then another vehicle before it crashed into a fence on Mahl Avenue.  After Jones was apprehended, a search of the vehicle revealed approximately 47 grams of crack cocaine, a half-pound of marijuana, 100 bags of packaged fentanyl, and 60 bags of packaged heroin.  A subsequent search of Jones’ residence revealed a glass jar containing approximately 28 grams of liquid PCP, 1,000 bags of packaged fentanyl/heroin, 145 grams of powder cocaine, 350 grams of crack, 27 grams of fentanyl, 230 grams of raw heroin, 12 pounds of marijuana, and $8,000 in cash.  Jones has been detained since his arrest.

U.S. Attorney Durham stressed that charges are not evidence of guilt.  Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The FBI Task Force includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Manchester Police Department, West Hartford Police Department and the North Central SWAT Team assisted today’s arrests.

These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael J. Gustafson, S. Dave Vatti and Geoffrey M. Stone.