NORWICH MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO HEROIN CHARGES
A 34-year-old Norwich man pleaded guilty Monday in Hartford federal court to one count of heroin possession with the intent to distribute and distribution of heroin, following a statewide initiative to investigate dealers of heroin, fentanyl or opioids that result in death or serious injury.
Jonathan Fisher is scheduled to be sentenced on July 27. The offense has a maximum term of 20 years in prison, according to a news release from the United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut.
Norwich police had responded on April 9 to a medical emergency at Fisher’s home in which an 18-year-old man had died from a suspected heroin overdose, according to court documents and statements.
Police found a used baggy and 10 unopened baggies marked with a particular brand stamp in the victim’s wallet, according to the release. The baggies tested positive for both heroin and fentanyl.
About a month before the overdose of the 18-year-old man, Norwich police had arrested Fisher, after discovering he had numerous baggies of heroin marked with the same stamp.
Police arrested Fisher on April 12 at a Norwich hotel and found two baggies with suspected heroin that carried an identical stamp in Fisher’s wallet, the release stated. Police also found in the hotel room more than 300 bags of heroin, prescription narcotics, more than 1 pound of marijuana, a digital scale and hundreds of empty bags marked with the stamp.
The Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad and the Norwich Police Department are investigating the matter.
Deirdre M. Daly, United States attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Michael J. Ferguson, special agent in charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, made the announcement in a news release.
The investigation is ongoing, according to the office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut.
Last month Norwich police also charged two other individuals — Raymond Belardo, 37, of Oakdale, and Joseph Hirschfeld, 19, Norwich — in connection with the overdose incident.