New Haven Man Plead Guilty To Drug Trafficking Charges: US Attorney

NEW HAVEN, CT —Jerrard Santiago, 43, of New Haven, pleaded guilty to two counts of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of a controlled substance and faces up to 20 years in a federal prison, according to the US Attorney for CT, Vanessa Roberts Avery.

According to Avery, court documents and statements made in court, this investigation began after an individual who had purchased narcotics in a restroom of the Mohegan Sun Casino on May 18, 2021, overdosed on the casino floor and died approximately 11 days later.

On Feb. 3, 2023, investigators made a controlled purchase of fentanyl and heroin from Santiago and again, 11 days later, on Feb. 14, investigators made another controlled purchase of fentanyl and cocaine from Santiago, the US Attorney said.

Santiago pleaded guilty to two counts of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, a controlled substance, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years on each count.

Santiago, who has been detained since his arrest March 30, 2023, will be sentenced April 22.

This matter is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Mohegan Tribal Police.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ross Weingarten and Christopher W. Schmeisser.