United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

Project Safe Neighborhoods: WATERBURY MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO FEDERAL FIREARMS CHARGE

Kevin J. O’Connor, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that ORLANDO GONZALEZ, 22, of Waterbury, pleaded guilty today before United States Magistrate Judge Thomas P. Smith in Hartford to one count of transferring a firearm to a known convicted felon.  The charge stems from a joint law enforcement investigation into the Latin Kings in Waterbury.

According to documents filed with the Court and statements made in court, on eight occasions between May 31, 2007 and September 19, 2007, GONZALEZ participated in the transfer of nine different firearms to an individual whom he knew to be a convicted felon.  Specifically, he participated in the sale of one Intratec, Model AB-10, 9mm pistol; one Intratec, Model Tec-9, 9mm pistol; one Norinco, Model 84S-1, 5.56x45 caliber assault rifle; one Bushmaster, Model XM15-E2S, .223 caliber rifle; one Romarm, Model SAR-1, 7.62x39mm caliber assault rifle; one Poly Technologies, Model AK-47/S, 7.62x39mm assault rifle; one Marlin, Model 336, 30-30 caliber rifle; one Colt, Model AR-15 A2 Sporter, .223 caliber assault rifle, and one Ruger, Model 10/22, .22 caliber rifle.  One of those firearms contained an obliterated serial number, and the transfer of another firearm occurred in conjunction with the sale of approximately 125 grams of cocaine.  In addition, on May 30, 2007, GONZALEZ distributed 10 baggies of heroin to another individual for $100.

GONZALEZ is scheduled to be sentenced by United States District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant on May 19, 2008, at which time GONZALEZ faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000.

This matter stems from “Operation Royal Flush,” an investigation into the Latin Kings in Waterbury spearheaded by the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in conjunction with the Waterbury Police Department’s Gang Task Force and the Connecticut Department of Correction.  The investigation, which commenced in January 2007, included the controlled purchases of firearms and illegal narcotics from more than 50 suspected members of the Latin Kings.  Eighteen individuals, including GONZALEZ, were arrested and charged with various federal drug trafficking and weapons violations.  Approximately 70 individuals are being prosecuted on state charges stemming from the investigation.

This investigation was funded in significant part through the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) and gang initiatives.

This matter is prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Robert M. Spector, Edward R. Kang and S. Dave Vatti.

CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
thomas.carson@usdoj.gov