Bridgeport and Ansonia Resident Charged with Narcotics Distribution and Gun Possession Offenses

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, today announced that IRVIN JAVIER VILLEGAS, 49, of Bridgeport and Ansonia, has been charged by indictment with narcotics distribution and firearm possession offenses.

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, in April 2026, law enforcement made two controlled purchases of heroin and fentanyl from Villegas. Villegas was arrested on related state charges on April 27, 2026. On that date, a court-authorized search of his Ansonia residence on Silver Hill Road revealed approximately 1.2 kilograms of cocaine, approximately 400 grams of heroin, and a .40 caliber Glock 23 pistol.

It is alleged that Villegas' criminal history includes state felony convictions for drug, robbery, weapon, and larceny offenses. It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

On August 12, 2026, a grand jury in New Haven returned and indictment charging Villegas with possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin and 500 grams or more of cocaine, an offense that, based on Villegas' previous conviction for a serious violent felony, carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, an offense that carries a mandatory consecutive sentence of at least five years; and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years.

On August 24, 2026, Villegas appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Dave Vatti in Bridgeport and pleaded not guilty to the charges in the indictment. He is released on a $250,000 bond pending trial.

U.S. Attorney Sullivan stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This matter is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bridgeport Police Department, and the Ansonia Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Gresham.