News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 15, 2006

Stamford Man Involved In Fairfield County Crack Cocaine& PCP Ring Is Sentenced

June W. Stansbury, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration in New England and Kevin J. O’Connor, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that KEVIN RIVERA, age 29, of 107 Van Buskirk Avenue, Stamford, Connecticut, was sentenced yesterday, June 14, by United States District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to a term of imprisonment of time already served, approximately 50 days, for using a telephone to facilitate the sale of phencyclidine (“PCP”). Judge Arterton also ordered RIVERA to serve one year of supervised release, perform 100 hours of community service and pay a fine in the amount of $3,000. RIVERA pleaded guilty to the charge on August 29, 2005.

RIVERA’s conviction stems from a federal investigation into a crack cocaine and PCP distribution ring in Fairfield County. In early 2005, federal and local law enforcement officers arrested 30 individuals in Stamford, Greenwich, Norwalk, and Bridgeport as part of the investigation. Law enforcement officers also conducted searches of nine residences in Connecticut and New York and recovered crack cocaine, PCP, drug packaging materials, narcotics paraphernalia, and United States currency.

On March 9, 2005, a federal grand jury sitting in Bridgeport returned a multi-count Indictment against RIVERA and others alleging various violations of the federal narcotics laws.

Although RIVERA potentially faced a three-year term of imprisonment, Judge Arterton noted his extraordinary rehabilitative efforts in attempting to overcome a 14-year addiction to PCP and reduced his sentence.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force. The Task Force consists of law enforcement officers from the Drug Enforcement Administration, Connecticut State Police, Bridgeport Police Department, Easton Police Department, Stratford Police Department, Fairfield Police Department, Norwalk Police Department, Stamford Police Department, and Greenwich Police Department.