Hartford Man Pleads Guilty To Federal Drug Distribution Charges

David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ANDREW PARENTE, 76, of Hartford, pleaded guilty today before United States District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a Schedule II controlled substance, and one count of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of a Schedule II controlled substance.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in October and November 2011, PARENTE and Robert Gentile conspired to distribute and distributed Schedule II controlled substances, including oxycodone, in a form commonly known as OxyContin, and hydromorphone, in a form commonly known as Dilaudid.

Judge Chatigny has scheduled sentencing for March 22, 2013, at which time PARENTE faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years on each count.

PARENTE has been released on a $50,000 bond since his arrest on February 10, 2012.

Gentile has been detained since his arrest on February 10, 2012.  On November 14, 2012, he pleaded guilty to multiple drug and firearms offenses.  He is scheduled to be sentenced on April 12.

This matter has been investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the assistance of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Connecticut State Police.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John H. Durham.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
thomas.carson@usdoj.gov