Willie Franco, 37, of New Haven, has been sentenced to 280 months in prison and 10 years of supervised release for narcotics trafficking and firearm possession offenses. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in New Haven. Franco also received this sentence for violating the conditions of his supervised release from a previous federal conviction.
Franco’s prior conviction stemmed from an August 2016 sentencing in Hartford federal court, where he received 80 months in prison and 10 years of supervised release for distributing crack cocaine and heroin. Investigators at that time found that Franco had distributed heroin to an individual who died after using the drug in January 2015. He was released from federal prison in December 2020.
In 2021, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Narcotics and Bulk Cash Trafficking Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration began investigating renewed narcotics activity involving Franco and his girlfriend Daniella Fox. Authorities found that parcels suspected to contain drugs were mailed from Arizona and California to addresses linked to Franco and Fox starting around February 2021. Further investigation connected Franco’s drug activities to three overdose deaths occurring between August and September 2021 in Branford, Guilford, and Milford.
Investigators intercepted a parcel containing approximately one kilogram each of cocaine and fentanyl addressed to East Haven in March 2022. After conducting a controlled delivery on March 7, authorities arrested Franco and Fox when they attempted to retrieve the package. A search of their New Haven residence led to the seizure of over one kilogram of fentanyl, crack cocaine, digital scales, packaging paraphernalia, a loaded Glock .40 pistol with its serial number removed, a drum magazine for a rifle, bulletproof vest, ammunition, and more than $300,000 in cash.
Analysis of seized cellphones showed hundreds of videos documenting Franco’s drug trafficking operations as well as his possession of firearms. In some recordings intended for suppliers, Franco complained about the strength of fentanyl provided: “the fentanyl is not strong enough” and “he needs fentanyl strong enough to kill people.”
Franco has remained detained since his arrest. On February 26, 2025, he was convicted by a jury on charges including conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute significant quantities of fentanyl and cocaine; possession with intent to distribute fentanyl; possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime; and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.
The investigation involved multiple agencies including the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Narcotics Task Force—which comprises members from several local police departments—the Drug Enforcement Administration, New Haven Police Department, East Haven Police Department, Connecticut State Police as well as other agencies.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Konstantin Lantsman and Hal Chen prosecuted the case.
“The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Konstantin Lantsman and Hal Chen.”
“This investigation was conducted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Narcotics and Bulk Cash Trafficking Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration…”
“David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut…”
