David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that Jelson Perez, also known as “Spank,” 42, of Norwalk, was sentenced to 60 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Vernon D. Oliver in Hartford. This will be followed by four years of supervised release for his involvement in narcotics trafficking around Norwalk.
Court documents and statements revealed that in May 2023, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force and Norwalk Police Department began investigating a drug trafficking organization distributing large quantities of fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine in the area. The investigation used court-authorized wiretaps and controlled purchases to uncover that the organization coordinated transportation of kilogram-quantities of cocaine from Texas and Ohio, as well as fentanyl and heroin from New York City. These drugs were distributed through a network including Perez. It was also found that Perez brokered a firearm purchase for another member.
Perez and several associates were arrested on April 29, 2024. During these arrests, investigators executed federal search warrants seizing approximately 15,000 dose bags of suspected fentanyl, about 350 grams of raw heroin, quantities of cocaine and crack cocaine, a handgun with ammunition, and a Ford F-150.
Detained since his arrest, Perez pleaded guilty on April 30, 2025 to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute over 40 grams of fentanyl along with heroin and cocaine.
The ongoing investigation involves multiple agencies including the DEA’s Bridgeport HIDTA Task Force which includes personnel from various police departments across Connecticut.
The case is prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren C. Clark and Kenneth L. Gresham through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program.
