Hartford Man Sentenced For Drug Distribution, Gun Possession: Feds

HARTFORD, CT — A Hartford man who pleaded guilty to fentanyl distribution and firearm possession charges in February will spend 2.5 years in prison, the Connecticut district attorney's office announced.

Maico Turell, 49, of Hartford was sentenced on Tuesday to 30 months (2.5 years) of imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release.

In a controlled purchase in December 2020, law enforcement bought "distribution quantities" of heroin and fentanyl from Turell at his Franklin Avenue residence twice, the district attorney's office said, citing court documents and statements made in court.

Then, a court-authorized search of Turell's home on Dec. 22, 2020 yielded a loaded 9mm semiautomatic gun, a 9mm magazine and additional ammunition, and $17,980 in cash.

(Turell has previously been convicted of robbery, burglary and drug offenses, so it's a violation of federal law for him to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.)

And a search of Turell's person that officials conducted once he got home revealed around 250 bags of heroin/fentanyl.

Turell was arrested on Feb. 3, 2021, and more narcotics were found on his person and in his car at the time of his arrest, officials said.

He pleaded guilty on Feb. 16 to one count of distribution of fentanyl, one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.