United States Drug Enforcement Administration

NEW HAVEN, Conn. - Marc H. Silverman, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOSHUWA DIAZ, 34, of New Haven, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Vernon D. Oliver in Hartford to a narcotics trafficking offense.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Diaz was arrested on February 16, 2024, after a court-authorized search of his apartment on Orange Street in New Haven revealed approximately 75 grams of fentanyl, 278 grams of cocaine, 47 grams of crack cocaine, and a loaded P80 handgun with no serial number (“ghost gun”). 

Diaz pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine, cocaine base (“crack”), and fentanyl, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.  Judge Oliver scheduled sentencing for May 7.

Diaz is released on a $50,000 bond pending sentencing.

In April 2013, Diaz was sentenced in New Haven federal court to 78 months of imprisonment for distributing heroin.

This investigation has been conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration New Haven Task Force, which includes members from the DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, Connecticut State Police and the New Haven, Waterbury, East Haven, Branford, West Haven, Ansonia, Meriden, Naugatuck, and Shelton Police Departments.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan Keefe.