Hartford Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Federal Prison for Cocaine Trafficking Offense

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ISMAEL ROMAN, also known as "Poochie, " 47, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sarah F. Russell in New Haven to 60 months of imprisonment and four years of supervised release for a cocaine trafficking offense and for violating the conditions of his supervised release from a prior federal conviction.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in January and February 2026, an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration's Hartford Task Force revealed that Jose Colon, also known of "Uncle Benny," was attempting to purchase several kilograms of cocaine and was in possession of a large amount of cash to complete a purchase. Investigators arranged a meeting with Colon at his residence on Pearl Street in Hartford on February 19, 2026. Prior to the meeting, investigators observed Roman, who was carrying a backpack, and an associate enter Colon's apartment. Colon, Roman, and their associate were arrested a short time later after a court-authorized search of the residence revealed approximately $52,000 in cash, which had been concealed in a small cooler within the backpack.

Roman has been detained since his arrest. On June 1, 2026, he pleaded guilty to attempting to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.

In October 2022, Roman was sentenced in Hartford federal court to 41 months of imprisonment for a cocaine trafficking offense and he was on federal supervised release at the time of his arrest in this case.

Colon pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.

This investigation is being conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration's Hartford Task Force, which includes personnel from the DEA Hartford Resident Office, the Connecticut State Police, and the Bristol, Hartford, East Hartford, Enfield, Manchester, New Britain, Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, and Windsor Locks Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Reed Durham.