CT man who continued operating drug distribution operation while in federal custody receives 9-year prison term

A Hartford man has been sentenced to nearly a decade in prison for distributing heroin and cocaine in Connecticut, New York and elsewhere — an operation he continued to coordinate even after he was jailed on drug charges.

Christopher Alamo, 36, who is also known as “Tito,” received a nine-year prison sentence during a hearing in federal court in New Haven on Tuesday, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office. The prison term will be followed by three years of supervised release.

Alamo’s sentencing Tuesday comes after he struck a plea deal during a hearing in February, pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

According to federal officials, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force identified Alamo as a distributor of heroin and cocaine in Connecticut, New York and elsewhere before his residence was searched on Jan. 13, 2021. During the search, authorities reported finding about 13,000 wax folds of fentanyl, more than 300 grams of loose fentanyl, about one kilogram of cocaine, quantities of crack cocaine and marijuana and items used to process and package narcotics for street sale.

Federal officials also said authorities found a .40 caliber handgun equipped with a loaded 28-round high-capacity magazine, a separate loaded 50-round “drum” magazine, other ammunition, a ballistic vest and about $5,000.

Alamo was arrested following the search and detained in federal custody. While he was jailed, authorities discovered that he continued to coordinate his drug distribution operation through his wife, Maria Maldonado, Maldonado’s son, Carlos Santiago Jr., and a drug supplier identified as Henry DeJesus-Morales.

On June 2, 2021, authorities searched the residence Alamo and Maldonado shared once again, finding about 71 grams of loose fentanyl, about 1,800 wax folds of fentanyl, distribution quantities of marijuana, drug packaging supplies, a loaded pistol, a loaded shotgun and about $13,000. Authorities the same day searched a house belonging to Alamo’s father, finding about $60,000 and assorted jewelry, which were seized as “proceeds of drug trafficking,” federal officials said.

Maldonado, Santiago and DeJesus-Morales have each pleaded guilty to related charges and have faced sentencing.

Federal officials said Maldonado received a two-year prison term. Santiago was sentenced to six months in prison, and DeJesus-Morales received a 44-month prison term.