Sentencing delayed for heroin dealer

DOVER — The sentencing hearing for a convicted heroin dealer facing up to 45 years in prison has been postponed until October at Strafford County Superior Court.

Abdul Rodriguez, 36, formerly of Dover, was scheduled to be sentenced Friday at Strafford County Superior Court on three charges of sale of a controlled drug, for selling heroin to a confidential informant in 2015. The sentencing hearing was postponed to Monday, Oct. 3.

County Attorney Thomas Velardi previously said Rodriguez is affiliated with an arm of the Latin Kings gang and that he had moved to the Dover area from New Jersey to start gang activity here.

Rodriguez’s trial on the charges took place in April, and the jury found him guilty on April 5. Each charge is a special felony carrying a maximum possible sentence of 15 years in prison.

According to court documents, the confidential informant who bought heroin from Rodriguez was working for the Strafford County Sheriff’s Drug Task Force. Each sale was in the amount of $100, according to the charges against him. The sales took place in April, June, and July of last year. The informant was one of the main witnesses at Rodriguez's trial. 

Rodriguez remains in jail as he awaits sentencing.