News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 16, 2005

NORWALK MAN SENTENCED TO MORE THAN 7 YEARS ON FEDERAL DRUG, GUN OFFENSES

June W. Stansbury, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for 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, was sentenced yesterday, August 16, by United States District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 90 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for attempting to possess with intent to distribute marijuana, and for possessing a firearm in furtherance of that offense. GUZMAN pleaded guilty to the charges on March 17, 2005.

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.

GUZMAN has been incarcerated since the date of his guilty plea.

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.