Meriden Man Sentenced to 3 Years in Federal Prison for Trafficking Fentanyl

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JAVIER MARTINEZ, 41, of Meriden, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 36 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for trafficking fentanyl.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in February 2020, law enforcement coordinated a controlled purchase of 100 grams of fentanyl from Martinez.  On February 13, 2020, investigators stopped Martinez’s vehicle after he arrived at an agreed upon location in West Haven.  A search of the car revealed approximately 100 grams of fentanyl, and a subsequent search of Martinez’s Meriden residence revealed approximately 180 grams of  fentanyl, more than 300 fentanyl pills, and items used to process and package narcotics for street sale.

On April 22, 2021, Martinez pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl.

Martinez, who is released on a $100,000 bond, is required to report to prison on October 18.

This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration New Haven Task Force, Connecticut State Police Statewide Narcotics Task Force and West Haven Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Natasha M. Freismuth.