News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 26, 2005

Danbury Resident Pleads Guilty To Federal Cocaine 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, today announced that JOEL BUENO, age 23, of Danbury, Connecticut, has pleaded guilty to a federal charge of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. United States District Judge Stefan R. Underhill accepted BUENO’s plea of guilty on Friday, December 23, in Bridgeport.

On March 4, 2005, BUENO was arrested in Danbury by agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration and officers of the Danbury Police Department. The arrest stemmed from a federal investigation into a large-scale cocaine and crack cocaine distribution ring operating in the Danbury area. Earlier this year, law enforcement officers conducted searches of several residences in Connecticut and New York and recovered cocaine, drug-packaging materials, narcotics paraphernalia, and United States currency. To date, more than 20 individuals in Danbury and New York City have been charged as a result of the investigation.

Judge Underhill has scheduled sentencing for March 13, 2006, at which time BUENO faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years, a maximum term of 40 years, and a fine of up to $2,000,000.

This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Danbury Police Department.