News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 21, 2005

Stamford Man Sentenced to 10 Years in
Federal Prison on Federal Crack Charge

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 ALBERTO CASTILLO, age 50, formerly of Stamford, Connecticut, was sentenced today by Senior United States District Judge Peter C. Dorsey in New Haven to 120 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release.  On February 1, 2005, CASTILLO pleaded guilty to a charge of possession with intent to distribute more than five grams of cocaine base (“crack” cocaine).

According to documents filed with the Court and to statements made in court, CASTILLO was stopped by Stamford Police officers on April 15, 2003.  When he was stopped, CASTILLO was in possession of approximately 32 grams of crack cocaine, a scale used for weighing drugs and more than $500 in cash.  CASTILLO was taken into custody and was subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury and charged with violating federal drug laws.

CASTILLO’s significant criminal record qualified him as a career offender, which subjected him to enhanced penalties in the federal system.  Today, CASTILLO faced a sentence of between 188 and 235 months of imprisonment.  However, over the Government’s objection, Judge Dorsey, departed from the United States Sentencing guidelines and imposed the 120-month term.

U.S. Attorney O’Connor praised the investigation of this matter by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Stamford Police Department.