Federal authorities have charged eleven individuals with offenses related to a drug trafficking operation in Bristol and central Connecticut, following a lengthy investigation. The announcement was made by David X. Sullivan, U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut; Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for New England; and Bristol Police Chief Mark Morello.
The accused are Joshua Ocasio (also known as “J” and “Jim”), Jose Rosado-Ortiz, Ryan Jassor, Debra Jankowski, Toni Risucci, James Warkoski, Ryan Riback, Kyle Mastroianni, Robert Pinette, Griffin Deprey, and Quran Muhammad. According to court documents and statements made in court, Ocasio led the organization with assistance from Rosado-Ortiz and Jassor. The group allegedly distributed fentanyl, cocaine, crack-cocaine, counterfeit pills containing fentanyl, oxycodone, Adderall, and Xanax throughout the region.
Investigators allege that Ocasio used several co-defendants as “drug runners,” renting vehicles for them to facilitate transactions. Muhammad is accused of helping arrange deals for Ocasio and distributing drugs obtained from him.
Authorities state that six overdose deaths—five in Bristol and one in Berlin between April 2024 and May 2025—have been linked to this network.
Ocasio and Rosado-Ortiz were arrested on December 4, 2025. Searches at their residences reportedly uncovered large amounts of cash ($440,000 at Ocasio’s home), watches and jewelry valued at $270,000, multiple types of drugs including cocaine (two kilograms), crack cocaine (one kilogram), fentanyl (250 grams), methamphetamine (200 grams), oxycodone pills (2,500), Xanax/Adderall pills (500), LSD tabs, ketamine (one ounce), empty kilogram wrappers testing positive for cocaine residue (25), an AR-15 style rifle, a ghost gun firearm, $10,000 in jewelry and $7,260 in cash.
A federal grand jury indicted all eleven defendants on January 7, 2026. They are charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute—and to distribute—controlled substances. Penalties vary based on involvement: Ocasio, Rosado-Ortiz, Risucci, Riback and Mastroianni face mandatory minimum sentences of ten years up to life imprisonment; Jankowski, Pinette and Deprey face five years minimum up to forty years; Jassor, Warkoski and Muhammad face up to twenty years.
Additionally:
– Ocasio faces charges relating to possession with intent to distribute—and distribution of—fentanyl and cocaine resulting in death or serious injury. This carries a mandatory minimum sentence of twenty years.
– Rosado-Ortiz is also charged with possession with intent to distribute controlled substances (ten-year minimum) and possessing a firearm during a drug crime (minimum five-year consecutive sentence).
Prosecutors seek forfeiture of seized assets including cash ($440k from December 2025; $30k from February 2025), jewelry ($270k value), and multiple vehicles.
“As alleged, Joshua Ocasio operated a sophisticated drug trafficking network that quite literally destroyed lives in Bristol and surrounding communities in central Connecticut,” said U.S. Attorney David X. Sullivan. “I thank the members of the DEA New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad, the Bristol Police Department, and the many other police departments that have worked on this long-term investigation which resulted in dismantling this drug network and bringing Mr. Ocasio and his associates to justice. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners continue to target those who profit from the illegal distribution of fentanyl and other dangerous narcotics. This investigation clearly established an indisputable connection to a drug-related death that necessitates the charging of this 20-year mandatory minimum offense.”
“DEA is committed to investigating and dismantling large-scale poly drug trafficking organizations like this one operating throughout central Connecticut,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Jarod Forget. “This organization was allegedly responsible for the distribution of fentanyl, cocaine, crack cocaine, counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl and pharmaceuticals which can be linked to several overdose deaths in the state. This investigation demonstrates the strength of collaborative local state and federal law enforcement efforts in Connecticut and our strong partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to seek and bring to justice anyone who engages in these crimes.”
“The Bristol Police Department commends the DEA every member of this Task Force,and the U.S.Attorney’s Office for their relentless pursuit of justiceand their unwavering commitmentto dismantling illicit drug trafficking networks,” said Bristol Police Chief Mark Morello.“These efforts hold accountable those whose actions poison our communitiesand contribute directlyto loss of life.Becauseof this work,the Cityof Bristolandthe Stateof Connecticutare safer.The Bristol Police Department remains resolutein its missionto protectand serve the communitywith integrityand professionalism,and we will continue these enforcement effortsevery dayto protectour communityandsave lives.”
U.S.Attorney Sullivan emphasizedthat an indictmentis not evidenceof guilt.All chargesare allegations,and each defendantis presumed innocentunless proven guiltybeyond reasonable doubt.
The investigation involved collaboration among numerous agencies including DEA New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad,Bristol,Middletown,and Manchester police departments,Fairfield Police Department,the Connecticut State Police,and East Central Narcotics Task Force.Other assisting agencies includedthe Connecticut Forensic Laboratoryand police departmentsfrom New Britain,Berlin,
Newington,Canton,Hamden,and Glastonbury.The case is being prosecutedby Assistant U.S.Attorneys Brendan Keefeand Natasha Freismuth.
This prosecution falls under Operation Take Back America,a nationwide Justice Department initiative targeting illegal immigration,
cartels,and transnational criminal organizations.
