Leonard C Boyle, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that FABIO VARGAS-GONZALEZ, 46, of Wethersfield, pleaded guilty today in New Haven federal court to a fentanyl trafficking offense.
According to court documents and statements made in court, the DEA’s Hartford Task Force developed information that Vargas-Gonzalez was involved in narcotics trafficking activities in the Hartford area. On March 11, 2020, investigators conducted surveillance of Vargas-Gonzalez as he drove a minivan from Connecticut to New Jersey and then back to Connecticut. In Danbury, investigators stopped Vargas-Gonzalez’s minivan for a motor vehicle violation and, after Vargas-Gonzalez consented to a search, found approximately two kilograms of fentanyl hidden in the minivan’s spare tire compartment.
Vargas-Gonzalez pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer on July 29.
Vargas-Gonzalez is released on a $175,000 bond pending sentencing.
The DEA’s Hartford Task Force includes personnel from the DEA Hartford Resident Office, the Connecticut State Police, and the Bristol, Hartford, East Hartford, Enfield, Manchester, New Britain, Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, Windsor Locks and Willimantic Police Departments.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey M. Stone.