New Haven Man Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl Trafficking Charge

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that CHRISTIAN LOPEZ, also known as "Face," 42, of New Haven, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to a fentanyl distribution offense.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in October 2021, the FBI's Safe Streets Task Force learned that Luis Salaman, also known as "Bebe," was distributing large quantities of narcotics throughout New Haven. Between November 2021 and March 2022, investigators made multiple controlled purchases of distribution quantities of fentanyl from Salaman and his associates, including Lopez. In December 2021, Lopez was involved in two fentanyl transactions totaling approximately 300 grams.

Lopez pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, 40 grams or more of fentanyl, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years. Judge Underhill scheduled sentencing for August 20.

Lopez has been detained since his arrest on April 10, 2023.

Salaman was convicted after trial and, on March 11, 2026, was sentenced to 14 years of imprisonment.

This investigation was conducted by FBI's Safe Streets Task Force, including members from the FBI, the Connecticut State Police, the Connecticut Department of Correction, and the New Haven, Milford, East Haven, West Haven, and Wallingford Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David T. Huang.