Hartford’s Peewee Sentenced to Over 7 Years for Narcotics & Guns

ELVIN GONZALEZ, a 45-year-old from Hartford known as ‘Peewee,’ has been sentenced to 87 months in federal prison for his role in a drug and firearm trafficking operation. United States Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery announced the sentence handed down by U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven.

According to court documents, Gonzalez and his associate, Jose Rivera, were busted in June 2021 after controlled purchases of distribution quantities of fentanyl and crack cocaine. Law enforcement found over 4,000 doses of fentanyl at Gonzalez’s residence, along with weapons including a stolen rifle.

Gonzalez has a lengthy criminal history that includes convictions for narcotics, robbery, and other offenses. His possession of firearms after previous felony convictions was a federal offense. He pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and firearm possession by a felon in November 2021.

Jose Rivera, 43, who also admitted to the same charges, is currently awaiting sentencing while detained. This case was investigated by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian P. Leaming.

The sentence comes as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through community engagement and strategic enforcement.