The 52-year-old owner of a deli on Quinnipiac Avenue will be spending two months behind bars after authorities caught her distributing cocaine from her store across from the Bishop Woods elementary school.
Antonia DeLucia, of Cranston Street, was sentenced by Judge Stefan R. Underhill U.S. District Court in Bridgeport Thursday to two months of prison, followed by 10 months of home confinement and three years of supervised release, for “conspiring to possess with intent to distribute cocaine.”
DeLucia bought between 50 and 100 grams of cocaine in February and March 2009 for “personal use and for distribution to others,” according to U.S. Attorney spokesman Thomas Carson. She “purchased and distributed the cocaine from her place of business,” the TNT Deli. She pleaded guilty to the charge in August 2009.
The deli at 1514 Quinnipiac Ave. has long been notorious for selling more than just sodas and snacks. In 2006, cops raided the deli and DeLucia’s home and seized marijuana, Oxycodone and Vicodin and other prescription drugs, and “100 unidentified pills.” She was sentenced to three years’ probation for drug possession charges. She previously had state convictions for burglary and threatening, but never served time in jail.
DeLucia’s latest arrest was part of a broader probe into a drug trafficking ring run by a father and son pair named Tito and Blanco. Roberto “Tito” Rodriguez and his son, Roberto “Blanco” Rodriguez ran the ring from a family used car lot in the Hill. Tito was caught on a wiretap buying powder cocaine from New York City, and DeLucia was caught buying cocaine from Tito, according to the government sentencing memo.
“You want to come by and get that?” Tito asked.
“What I get, how much money I give you last?” DeLucia responded, according to court documents.
DeLucia didn’t sell the drugs for profit; she “shared” them with family and friends.
Click here to read about the wiretaps, and here to read about DeLucia’s life story, in two governing sentencing memos.
Crack Dealer Faces 5 to 40
And Marvin Conner, 32, of Carlisle Street, pleaded guilty Thursday before U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to one count of distribution of 28 grams or more of crack cocaine.
Conner sold a total of 39 grams of crack on three occasions in July and August of this year, according to Carson. Conner was taken into federal custody after his guilty plea. He faces five to 40 years in prison at his sentencing, which is set for Jan. 14.
Westville Crash
Greg Dildine Photo
Westville Alderman Greg Dildine sent in this photo of a three-car crash at 8 a.m. at Edgewood and Alden avenues.
Police spokesman Officer Joe Avery said he had no further info.
Crime Map
Police report a relatively quiet night, with one report of gunfire at Barnes Avenue and Donna Drive.
Click here for a list of calls for major incidents on Oct. 28. Click on the image below to see those crimes placed on a city-wide map.
For block-by-block year-to-date crime info, and daily crime maps, check the Independent’s crime log.
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