JOSHUWA DIAZ, Fentanyl Trafficking, Connecticut 2024

New Haven Man Pleads Guilty to Narcotics Trafficking Charge, faces up to 20 years in prison

A New Haven, Connecticut man has pleaded guilty to narcotics trafficking charges after a court-authorized search of his apartment revealed a significant amount of illicit substances. JOSHUWA DIAZ, 34, of New Haven, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Vernon D. Oliver in Hartford to a narcotics trafficking offense.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Diaz was arrested on February 16, 2024, after a search of his apartment on Orange Street in New Haven revealed approximately 75 grams of fentanyl, 278 grams of cocaine, 47 grams of crack cocaine, and a loaded P80 handgun with no serial number (“ghost gun”).

Diaz pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine, cocaine base (“crack”), and fentanyl, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. Judge Oliver scheduled sentencing for May 7.

Diaz is currently out on a $50,000 bond pending sentencing. The investigation into Diaz’s activities has been ongoing for some time, with the Drug Enforcement Administration New Haven Task Force conducting the probe.

The Task Force includes members from the DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, Connecticut State Police, and the New Haven, Waterbury, East Haven, Branford, West Haven, Ansonia, Meriden, Naugatuck, and Shelton Police Departments.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan Keefe. Diaz was previously sentenced to 78 months of imprisonment in 2013 for distributing heroin in New Haven federal court. His sentencing for the current charges is set for May 7.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ct/pr/new-haven-man-pleads-guilty-narcotics-trafficking-charge