Angel Quiros, also known as “Papa John,” has been sentenced to 63 months in federal prison for leading a drug trafficking organization in Waterbury. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford. Quiros will also serve four years of supervised release after his prison term.
According to information presented in court, the FBI’s Waterbury Safe Streets Gang Task Force and other agencies investigated two separate drug trafficking groups operating in Waterbury—one led by Quiros around William Street and another led by Daniel Diaz-Rivera near Maple Avenue. The investigation used wiretaps, video surveillance, GPS tracking, and controlled narcotics purchases to uncover that both organizations distributed cocaine, crack cocaine, and fentanyl through networks of sellers. The groups reportedly shared suppliers and worked together at all hours.
The investigation resulted in federal charges against Quiros, Diaz-Rivera, and 15 associates. On November 29, 2023, authorities arrested several individuals including Quiros and Diaz-Rivera. During these arrests, law enforcement executed search warrants that led to the seizure of about 700 grams of crack cocaine, over 900 vials of crack, approximately 200 grams of loose fentanyl, more than 1,600 dose bags containing fentanyl or heroin, two stolen firearms with ammunition, and more than $39,000 in cash. From Quiros specifically, police recovered quantities of cocaine and crack cocaine along with over $6,000 in cash and jewelry valued above $24,000.
Quiros pleaded guilty on February 11, 2025 to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute at least 500 grams of cocaine. He was released on a $100,000 bond pending his required report to prison on October 20, 2025.
Daniel Diaz-Rivera pleaded guilty to the same charge; he was sentenced on June 23, 2025 to a prison term of 210 months.
The FBI’s Waterbury Safe Streets Gang Task Force is composed of members from several agencies including the FBI itself as well as the Waterbury Police Department, Naugatuck Police Department, and Connecticut Department of Correction. Additional support came from the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration), U.S. Marshals Service, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Connecticut State Police, Wolcott Police Department and Meriden Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Natasha Freismuth and Shan Patel are prosecuting this case through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program; further details about OCDETF can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
“U.S. Attorney Sullivan thanked the Waterbury State Attorney’s Office for its cooperation in the investigation and prosecution of this case.”
