Jayvian Rodriguez, Fentanyl Possession with Intent to Distribute, Connecticut 2021

HARTFORD, CT – Jayvian Rodriguez, 25, of West Hartford, is headed to federal prison for over a decade after a bust that turned up a frightening arsenal and enough fentanyl to kill thousands. U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala handed down a 126-month sentence, followed by five years of supervised release, for his role in a drug and gun operation that plagued the quiet suburbs.

The case began to unravel in the summer of 2021 when West Hartford Police received intel about Rodriguez’s narcotics distribution. A subsequent search of his Prospect Avenue residence on September 3, 2021, proved the tip was solid. Cops seized nearly 600 grams of pure fentanyl – enough to create a massive number of lethal doses – alongside 18 grams of crack cocaine and the tools needed to package the drugs for street sales. But the drugs weren’t the only problem.

Authorities also discovered a privately manufactured 9mm Glock-style “ghost gun” equipped with a laser sight and, disturbingly, a “Glock switch” auto sear device. This illegal modification transformed the handgun into a fully automatic machinegun. A high-capacity magazine loaded with 28 rounds and another 200 rounds of ammunition completed the dangerous picture. Rodriguez was already on state probation for previous gun and drug convictions when the search warrant was executed, making this latest offense even more egregious.

Rodriguez initially bonded out after his state arrest but was quickly taken back into custody on federal charges December 15, 2021. He eventually pleaded guilty on November 2, 2022, to possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. The plea deal did little to soften the blow of the sentence, reflecting the severity of his crimes and the danger he posed to the community.

The investigation was a collaborative effort between the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force, the West Hartford Police Department, and the Connecticut State Police, with support from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The task force included officers from multiple jurisdictions, demonstrating a united front against violent crime in the region.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert S. Ruff prosecuted the case as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative, a Department of Justice program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence. The program focuses on building trust with communities, supporting violence prevention efforts, and prioritizing strategic enforcement. This sentencing sends a clear message: those who peddle deadly drugs and illegally arm themselves will face the full force of the law.

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