Norwalk Man Accused Of Trafficking Narcotics Sentenced To Prison: Feds

NORWALK, CT — A Norwalk man accused of trafficking narcotics in and around the city was sentenced Wednesday to five years in prison, followed by four years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut David Sullivan announced in a news release.

According to court documents and statements made in court, the Drug Enforcement Administration's Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force and Norwalk police launched an investigation in May 2023 into a drug trafficking organization that distributed large quantities of fentanyl, heroin and cocaine in the Norwalk area.

The investigation revealed the organization was coordinating the transportation of kilogram-quantities of cocaine from Texas and Ohio, as well as kilogram-quantities of fentanyl and heroin from New York City, and distributing the narcotics in and around Norwalk through a network of people, which included Jelson "Spank" Perez, 42, of Norwalk, according to Sullivan.

Sullivan said the investigation included court-authorized wiretaps and controlled purchases of narcotics.

The investigation also revealed Perez brokered the purchase of a firearm for another member of the organization, Sullivan said.

Perez and several other suspects were arrested on April 29, 2024, according to Sullivan.

In association with the arrests, investigators executed multiple federal search warrants and seized approximately 15,000 dose bags of suspected fentanyl, approximately 350 grams of raw heroin, quantities of cocaine and crack cocaine, a 9mm handgun and ammunition and a 2021 Ford F-150, Sullivan said.

Perez has been detained since his arrest. On April 30, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and quantities of heroin and cocaine, according to Sullivan.