New Britain Man Pleads Guilty To Federal Fentanyl Trafficking

Wednesday, June 25, 2025, 2:00 P.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

NEW HAVEN, CT.- A 32-year-old New Britain, Connecticut, man, found out he could be potentially facing up to 40 years in federal prison when sentenced after pleading guilty yesterday in Federal Court in New Haven, Connecticut, to a federal drug trafficking offense.

     According to U.S. Attorney David X. Sullivan, on Tuesday, June 23, 2025, Henry Meneses, Jr., 32, of New Britain, Connecticut, appeared in the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut and pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Janet C. Hall to Conspiracy to Distribute and Possession with Intent to Distribute 40 Grams or More of a Controlled Substance, Fentanyl.

Judge Hall Schedules Sentencing For September 16, 2025

     Following entering his guilty plea, Judge Hall accepted the plea and scheduled sentencing for September 16, 2025. At that time, Meneses faces a mandatory minimum of five years and up to 40 years in federal prison, at least four years of supervised release, and a fine up to $1 million. When sentenced, a U.S. District Court Judge will determine the term of imprisonment based on the seriousness of the offense and Meneses’ prior criminal history. Meneses will remain free on a $100,000 bond pending sentencing.

According To Court Documents

     According to charging documents filed with the District Court, a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Hartford Task Force investigation uncovered that Meneses was selling large quantities of fentanyl within the Hartford, Connecticut, area. 

Meneses Sells 6,000 Bags Of Fentanyl To A Person From Vermont

     On January 6, 2025, Meneses distributed 6,000 single-dose bags of fentanyl to an individual who had driven from the State of Vermont to pick up the illicit narcotics. On February 25, 2025, undercover Investigators made a controlled purchase of 3,000 single-dose bags of fentanyl from Meneses on Franklin Avenue in the City of Hartford.

     On March 25, 2025, federal Investigators arrested Meneses. On that date, investigators obtained and executed a court-authorized search warrant of his residence and motor vehicle. During the searches, Investigators uncovered and seized two handguns, five firearms magazines, and more than $6,000 in U.S. currency in denominations consistent with narcotics sales.