News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 31, 2007

Bronx Man Gets 3 Years In Prison For Cocaine Delivery In Bridgeport

JAN 31 -- 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, announced that GREGORIO RODRIGUEZ, age 51, of the Bronx, New York, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 36 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release. On December 2, 2005, RODRIGUEZ pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine.

According to documents filed with the Court and statements made in court, RODRIGUEZ was arrested on March 2, 2005, by Drug Enforcement Administration special agents after he delivered two kilograms of cocaine to a customer in Bridgeport. RODRIGUEZ had previously sold one kilogram of cocaine to the same customer in February 2005.

Based on the quantities of cocaine involved in the offense conduct, RODRIGUEZ faced a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years. However, RODRIGUEZ had no prior convictions, which allowed the Court to impose a sentence below the mandatory minimum and below the bottom range of the federal sentencing guidelines of 37 to 46 months of imprisonment. In imposing the 36-month prison term, Judge Underhill noted the defendant’s age, history of lawful employment and sincere remorse.

RODRIGUEZ has been incarcerated since the date of his arrest.

“ I want to commend the fine investigative work of the DEA agents, which resulted in this defendant’s arrest, guilty plea and imprisonment, and the seizure of three kilos of cocaine that were destined for sale on the streets of Bridgeport,” U.S. Attorney O’Connor stated.