Leonard C Boyle, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JUAN LAUREANO, also known as “Pito,” 42, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 18 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing fentanyl.
According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from an investigation conducted by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force and Hartford Police Department into drug trafficking and related criminal acts being committed by members and associates of the Los Solidos and Latin Kings street gangs in Hartford’s South End. Between January and April 2020, investigators conducted multiple controlled purchases of fentanyl from Laureano and his associate, Anthony Dones, in the vicinity of Dones’ Montrose Street residence.
Laureano and Dones were arrested on April 8, 2020. On that date, a search of Dones’ residence revealed a small quantity of fentanyl, items used to process and package narcotics for street sale, and a loaded .45 caliber pistol.
Laureano’s criminal history includes multiple state convictions and a federal conviction in 2013 for unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.
On October 15, 2021, Laureano pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and distribution, of fentanyl.
Laureano, who is released on bond, is required to report to prison on May 11.
On March 15, 2022, Dones pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and distribution, of fentanyl, and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. He awaits sentencing.
This investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force and the Hartford Police Department. The FBI Task Force includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, New Britain Police Department, West Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian P. Leaming.