News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 22, 2005

NORWALK MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO FEDERAL WEAPONS AND NARCOTICS OFFENSES

Mark R. Trouville, 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 JULIO GUZMAN, age 28, of 1 Lenore Drive, Norwalk, Connecticut, has pleaded guilty to attempted possession with intent to distribute marijuana, and to possessing a firearm in furtherance
of that offense. United States District Judge Stefan R. Underhill accepted GUZMAN's plea of guilty on March 17, 2005, in Bridgeport federal court.

This prosecution was part of a larger Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force ("OCDETF") investigation dubbed "Operation Goal Tender," which was spearheaded by the Drug Enforcement Administration in Bridgeport. As detailed in court proceedings, the investigation targeted a Colombian-based group that was responsible for receiving large quantities of cocaine directly from Colombia and then arranging for its distribution in New York and Connecticut. GUZMAN's association with members of this organization led to his arrest on November 16, 2004. GUZMAN attempted to purchase approximately 400 pounds of marijuana from an individual who was cooperating with the DEA. As further detailed in court proceedings, when GUZMAN arrived at the pre-determined location to take possession of the marijuana, he had $100,000 in cash with him that was to be used as an initial down payment for the drugs. GUZMAN was also wearing a bullet-proof vest and was armed with a loaded 9mm firearm that was holstered to his waist.

When he is sentenced on June 3, 2005, GUZMAN faces a maximum sentence of 20 years of imprisonment on the drug charge, and a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years on the gun charge, which must be served consecutively to his sentence on the drug charge.

U.S. Attorney O'Connor commended the law enforcement agents and officers who conducted the investigation and praised their devoted efforts to identify, disrupt and dismantle this drug trafficking operation.

This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force, which is located in Bridgeport and is comprised of DEA special agents, officers from several local police departments, including Norwalk, as well as members of the Connecticut State Police.