The Abraham Ribicoff Federal Building and United States Courthouse on 450 Main St. in Hartford. Antonio Allen, 20, of New Haven, faces up to 20 years in prison after he distributed fentanyl on behalf of a drug trafficking organization, federal prosecutors said Wednesday.

HARTFORD — A New Haven man faces up to 20 years in prison after he pleaded guilty Wednesday to distributing fentanyl, according to federal prosecutors.

The charge stemmed from an investigation that started in the fall of 2021. The FBI’s New Haven Safe Streets/Gang Task Force and the New Haven Police Department were looking into a drug trafficking organization that operated around the West Hills neighborhood, including the McConaughy Terrace housing complex, according to U.S. Attorney Vanessa Avery.

The investigation revealed that Antonio Allen, now 20, distributed fentanyl on behalf of the organization, Avery’s office said.

In February, law enforcement arrested several other members of the organization on federal charges and seized about 19 kilograms of cocaine, more than 7,000 bags of fentanyl and more than $780,000 in cash, Avery’s office said.

After the arrests, Avery’s office said Allen “made multiple social media posts in order to intimidate or threaten potential witnesses.” He was arrested on March 10 and has been detained since.

Allen pleaded guilty Wednesday to possession with intent to distribute, and distribution, of fentanyl. Judge Sarala Nagala in Hartford scheduled Allen’s sentencing for Aug. 31. Allen faces up to 20 years in prison.

Liz Hardaway is a breaking news reporter for Hearst Connecticut Media through the Hearst Fellowship Program.

She previously worked at the San Antonio Express-News to help cover city hall and local issues. She also worked at the Sun Newspapers in Southwest Florida as a general assignment reporter covering politics, business, and health. 

Liz graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University in 2018 with a B.A. in journalism. She enjoys cooking, reading and playing with her dachshund, Finn.