Hartford Man Sentenced to 69 Months in Prison for Gang-Related Drug Trafficking

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that HECTOR SANTIAGO, also known as “Bebo,” 25, of Hartford, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 69 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for distributing heroin, fentanyl and crack cocaine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from an investigation conducted by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force and Hartford Police Department’s Vice and Narcotics Division into the trafficking of narcotics and associated violence in Hartford’s South End by members and associates of the Almighty Latin Kings Nation (“Latin Kings”).  The investigation, which included court-authorized wiretaps, physical surveillance and controlled purchases of narcotics, revealed that two alleged members of the Latin Kings operated separate drug trafficking organizations that distributed fentanyl, heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine.  The organizations used multiple locations to process, package, store and distribute narcotics, and possessed firearms in furtherance of their drug trafficking activities.  Santiago, who used an apartment at 876 Broad Street to store narcotics, distributed fentanyl, heroin and crack cocaine in the area of Broad Street and Park Street in Hartford.

The investigation also revealed that Santiago possessed firearms and was involved in acts of violence.  On June 10, 2018, City of Hartford surveillance cameras captured Santiago pistol-whipping a victim.

Santiago was arrested on July 6, 2018.  At the time of his arrest, a search of an apartment on Marshall Street where Santiago was residing revealed a loaded .40 caliber handgun.

Santiago has been detained since his arrest.  On April 18, 2019, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and distribution of, 40 grams or more of fentanyl and 28 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack”).

This matter is being investigated by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force and the Hartford Police Department.  The Task Force includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction.  The Hartford Police Department’s Vice and Narcotics Division and Shooting Task Force have provided valuable assistance to the investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian P. Leaming.