Joshua Bentz, Conspiracy to Deal in Firearms without a License, Connecticut 2021

BRISTOL, CT – Joshua Bentz, 39, of Bristol, Connecticut, is headed to federal prison after being sentenced to 24 months for his part in a brazen gun trafficking operation that flooded the streets of Hartford with illegal firearms. U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton handed down the sentence in New Haven this week, followed by a two-year period of supervised release.

The scheme, uncovered by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Hartford Police Department, traced back to 2020 when investigators began linking firearms recovered in the state to purchases made in South Carolina. The connection quickly turned sinister. One of those firearms surfaced in the possession of a convicted felon in July 2020. More disturbingly, additional weapons purchased through this network were later found at the scenes of two separate homicides in Hartford during September and October of the same year.

Court documents reveal Bentz conspired with Alberto Vazquez, of Hartford, and others to systematically purchase firearms from a licensed dealer in Columbia, South Carolina. Bentz’s wife, Tywonda Bentz, played a key role, allegedly purchasing approximately 37 firearms between May and July 2020. The operation wasn’t about sport shooting; the weapons were transported north and sold to individuals with criminal records and others who shouldn’t legally possess them.

Bentz was arrested on April 21, 2021, and later pleaded guilty to conspiracy to deal in firearms without a license, unlawfully transporting firearms, and making false statements to law enforcement. He’s been free on a $100,000 bond but is now required to report to prison on August 24th. Vazquez, a repeat offender with prior convictions for felony weapon possession, robbery, and larceny, already received a hefty 120-month sentence in October 2022 after pleading guilty to similar charges. Tywonda Bentz has also pleaded guilty and is awaiting her sentencing date.

Federal prosecutors, led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara E. Levens, highlighted the case as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative, a nationwide program focused on reducing violent crime and gun violence through coordinated law enforcement efforts. The Justice Department recently strengthened PSN, emphasizing community trust, violence prevention, strategic enforcement, and measurable results.

The investigation involved a multi-agency effort, including the Columbia (S.C.) Police Department and the Richland County (S.C.) Sheriff’s Department. While Bentz’s sentence offers a measure of accountability, the case underscores the persistent threat of illegal gun trafficking and the devastating consequences when these weapons fall into the wrong hands. Grimy Times will continue to track this case and its impact on Hartford’s streets.

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