MAN TO SERVE 37 MONTHS FOR ROLE IN NEW LONDON AREA DRUG TRAFFICKING RING

A 26-year-old New London man was sentenced Wednesday to more than three years in federal prison for distributing heroin in the New London area.

Emilio “Millz” Rodriguez was one of 24 people indicted in March 2019 by a federal grand jury in connection with a drug trafficking ring in southeastern Connecticut.

The indictment stemmed from an investigation involving federal, state and local agencies that involved the use of court-authorized wiretaps, controlled purchases and seizures of heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine and firearms.

According to the government, Rodriguez received heroin from Royshawn Allgood, also known as “Boy Roy,” and Anthony Whyte, also known as “Jack Mac,” then distributed the drugs to his own customers. He has been detained since he was arrested on March 11, 2019.

He pleaded guilty in October 2019 to one count of conspiracy to distribute heroin and was sentenced Wednesday by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 37 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release.

Allgood pleaded guilty to related charges and was sentenced to 71 months of imprisonment on Jan. 3. Whyte is awaiting trial.

The investigation is being conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; U.S. Marshals Service; Homeland Security Investigations; Connecticut Statewide Narcotics Taskforce East; Connecticut Department of Correction and the New London, Waterford, City of Groton, Stonington, Norwich, Old Saybrook and UConn police departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Natasha M. Freismuth. taken into custody after the six-member jury, which had started deliberating Wednesday afternoon, announced it had found her guilty of first-degree larceny and four counts of first-degree identity theft.

Judge Shari A. Murphy scheduled sentencing for April 15. Should Chacho wish to remain free while appealing the verdict, the judge set a $100,000 appeal bond.

Assistant State’s Attorney Christa L. Baker prosecuted the case, and Chacho was represented by attorney Jerome Paun.

According to Montville police, Chacho gained access to the bank account of her grandmother, Eleanor Chacho, while serving as her caretaker between June 2014 and May 2016. The grandmother since has died.