Derby Man Sentenced To Federal Prison For Drug Trafficking: Feds

DERBY, CT — Two men involved in a drug trafficking ring in southwestern Connecticut were sentenced to federal prison last month, U.S. Attorney for Connecticut David X. Sullivan announced Friday.

Ronald Vincent, 30, of Stratford, was sentenced Oct. 17 to 84 months in prison and four years of supervised release.

Marquis Jones, 30, of Derby, was sentenced Oct. 20 to 40 months in prison and three years of supervised release.

Prosecutors said that in 2022, the FBI Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force was investigating gang activity in the South End and West Side of Bridgeport, and identified Christian Pichardo as a supplier of various narcotics to gang members and other drug distributors.

“During the investigation, investigators intercepted calls and text messages over court-authorized wiretaps between Pichardo and his associates, including Vincent and Jones, made controlled purchases of narcotics, and seized drugs from members of the conspiracy and their drug customers,” officials wrote in a news release. “Some of the drugs seized during the investigation had been cut with fentanyl analogues, nitazines, and xylazine. Nitazines are synthetic opioids stronger than fentanyl, and xylazine is a large animal tranquilizer.”

Vincent and Jones lived in Bridgeport during the investigation, according to officials.

“Vincent was a close associate of Pichardo who primarily trafficked fentanyl,” officials wrote. “Jones trafficked fentanyl to crack cocaine to gang members and others.”

Vincent and Jones were each arrested on Aug. 5, 2024, and subsequently pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. Released on $100,000 bonds, officials said they are required to report to prison on Dec. 16 and Jan. 7, respectively.

Pichardo pleaded guilty to a related charge and, on July 14, 2025, was sentenced to 12 years of imprisonment.