Eleven people face federal charges in connection with an alleged drug trafficking enterprise suspected of distributing numerous types of narcotics that investigators say they connected to a half-dozen fatal overdoses in Bristol and Berlin.
A federal grand jury in Bridgeport returned an indictment on Jan. 7 charging 30-year-old Joshua Ocasio, also known as “J” and “Jim,” of Middletown; 29-year-old Jose Rosado-Ortiz of Manchester; 30-year-old Ryan Jassor of Phoenix, Arizona; 44-year-old Debra Jankowski of Avon; 29-year-old Toni Risucci of Watertown; 58-year-old James Warkoski of Plymouth; 24-year-old Ryan Riback of Plainville; 32-year-old Kyle Mastroianni of Bristol; 39-year-old Robert Pinette of Bristol; 28-year-old Griffin Deprey of Plainville; and 30-year-old Quran Muhammad of East Windsor, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut.
The indictment charges the individuals with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, controlled substances. Based on their individual criminal history, the charge exposes them to varying prison terms.
According to federal officials, Ocasio, Rosado-Ortiz, Risucci, Riback and Mastroianni face a mandatory minimum term of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life.
The indictment comes following an investigation that was conducted by the DEA New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad and the Bristol Police Department.
Authorities have accused Ocasio of heading the drug enterprise. Investigators said they believe Ocasio was assisted by Rosado-Ortiz and Jassor — who used to live in the state — in acquiring and distributing fentanyl, cocaine, crack cocaine, counterfeit pills pressed with fentanyl and pharmaceuticals including oxycodone, Adderall and Xanax.
According to federal officials, Ocasio allegedly employed Jankowski, Risucci, Warkoski, Riback, Mastroianni, Pinette and Deprey as “drug runners” to carry out drug transactions on his behalf. He would frequently rent cars for them to use, officials said.
Muhammad has been accused of helping facilitate narcotics transactions for Ocasio and also distributing drugs that he acquired from Ocasio to his own customer base, officials said.
According to authorities, investigators believe the drug ring is connected to five fatal overdoses in Bristol and one in Berlin which occurred between April 2024 and May 2025.
Ocasio and Rosado-Ortiz were arrested on federal criminal complaints on Dec. 4. The same day, authorities raided Ocasio’s residence and allegedly found about $440,000 and about $270,000 worth of watches and jewelry, officials said.
A search of Rosado-Ortiz’s residence allegedly turned up about two kilograms of cocaine, one kilogram of crack cocaine, 250 grams of fentanyl, 200 grams of methamphetamine, 2,500 oxycodone pills, 500 Xanax and Adderall pills, tabs of LSD, one ounce of ketamine, 25 empty kilogram wrappers that field tested positive for the presence of cocaine, an AR-15 style rifle, a “ghost gun,” $10,000 in jewelry and $7,260, authorities said.
“As alleged, Joshua Ocasio operated a sophisticated drug trafficking network that, quite literally, destroyed lives in Bristol and surrounding communities in central Connecticut,” U.S. Attorney David X. Sullivan said in a statement. “I thank the members of the DEA New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad, the Bristol Police Department, and the many other police departments that have worked on this long-term investigation which resulted in dismantling this drug network and bringing Mr. Ocasio and his associates to justice.”
The indictment that came down last week also charges Ocasio with possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, fentanyl and cocaine resulting in death and serious bodily injury. The charge carries a minimum of 20 years in prison and a maximum of a life term, officials said. The charge stems from the overdose death of a 20-year-old woman in Bristol on Oct. 26, 2024.
The indictment also charges Rosado-Ortiz with possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The charges combined carry a minimum mandatory 10-year prison sentence, a mandatory consecutive five-year term and a maximum of life in prison.
“DEA is committed to investigating and dismantling large-scale poly drug trafficking organizations like this one operating throughout central Connecticut,” DEA Special Agent in Charge Jarod Forget said in a statement.
“This organization was allegedly responsible for the distribution of fentanyl, cocaine, crack cocaine, counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl and pharmaceuticals which can be linked to several overdose deaths in the state,” Forget said. “This investigation demonstrates the strength of collaborative local, state and federal law enforcement efforts in Connecticut and our strong partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to seek and bring to justice anyone who engages in these crimes.”
According to authorities, the indictment seeks the forfeiture of the cash and jewelry seized in December, $30,338 that was seized from Ocasio in last February and multiple vehicles.
“The Bristol Police Department commends the DEA, every member of this Task Force, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their relentless pursuit of justice and their unwavering commitment to dismantling illicit drug trafficking networks,” Bristol Police Chief Mark Morello said in a statement.
“These efforts hold accountable those whose actions poison our communities and contribute directly to loss of life,” Morello said. “Because of this work, the city of Bristol and the state of Connecticut are safer. The Bristol Police Department remains resolute in its mission to protect and serve the community with integrity and professionalism, and we will continue these enforcement efforts every day to protect our community and save lives.”
