News Release [print-friendly version]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 20, 2006

Diablos Motorcycle Club Member
Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison

NOV 20 -- June W. Stansbury, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration and Kevin J. O’Connor, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JERRY LOUIS FANTAUZZI, age 34, of 14 White Oak Road, Ansonia, Connecticut, was sentenced today by Chief United States District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford to 120 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for distributing cocaine.  FANTAUZZI pleaded guilty to the offense on July 27, 2006.

FANTAUZZI, a full-patch member of The Diablos Motorcycle Club, was arrested on December 7, 2005, following a long-term investigation into the Diablos in Waterbury and Meriden, Connecticut.  The investigation utilized various investigative techniques including controlled purchases of narcotics by a cooperating witness, purchases of narcotics by law enforcement officers acting in an undercover capacity, extensive physical surveillance, and a wiretap.  The investigation resulted in federal charges being lodged against 12 full-patch members and known associates of the Diablos.  Additional Diablos members and associates were charged by state authorities.

        According to documents filed with the Court and statements made in court, in July 2005, FANTAUZZI sold more than 500 grams of cocaine to a cooperating witness.  FANTAUZZI also sold lesser quantities of cocaine to the informant on several occasions, and his telephone conversations intercepted during a court-authorized wiretap confirmed that he regularly obtained and distributed quantities of cocaine to fellow Diablos.

        U.S. Attorney O’Connor praised the work of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Connecticut State Police, and Waterbury Police Department, which conducted a joint investigation for approximately 18 months.