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Former New Haven County resident Jesus Nieves, aka "Pop," age 38, formerly of Waterbury, and Springfield, Massachusetts, was sentenced Thursday, Feb. 23 to 63 months in prison, said Vanessa Roberts Avery, US Attorney for the District of Connecticut.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in May 2020, the DEA New Haven Task Force and Waterbury Police Department began an investigation into a drug trafficking organization that was distributing large amounts of heroin, cocaine, and crack in the Waterbury area.
It was believed to be headed by Zachary Lee Foster, who worked closely with Jason Metz of Naugatuck.
The investigation included court-authorized wiretaps on multiple phones used by members of the organization, physical surveillance, controlled purchases of narcotics, and motor vehicle stops that resulted in the seizure of drugs.
The investigation revealed that Nieves supplied Metz with pre-packaged heroin that Metz redistributed to others, court documents show.
On Monday, March 1, 2021, a federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment charging Nieves, Foster, Metz, and 14 others. Avery said.
Nieves, Foster, Metz, and several associates were arrested on Wednesday, March 3, 2021.
In association with these arrests, law enforcement executed seven search warrants and seized 40,000 bags of suspected heroin, 350 grams of cocaine and 50 grams of crack cocaine, and nine firearms, court documents show.
Nieves has been detained since his arrest. In April 2022, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin.
Foster and Metz also pleaded guilty. Metz was sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment. Foster awaits sentencing.
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