MAN WHO SOLD DRUGS TO OVERDOSE VICTIM IN GROTON SENTENCED TO TWO YEARS IN PRISON
A Groton man has been sentenced to two years in prison for selling drugs to a victim who later died of an overdose in April 2017.
Ulpiano Lugo, 38, pleaded guilty on May 8, 2018, to one count of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of heroin and/or cocaine. He was sentenced Wednesday by U.S. District Judge Alfred V. Covello in Hartford to 24 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, as part of a statewide initiative targeting those who distribute opioids that cause death or serious injury to those who use them.
About 7:37 p.m. April 22, 2017, police and emergency medical crews were called to a Groton City residence for a report of an unresponsive male in a bedroom. The 37-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene, where police found a used syringe containing an unknown liquid, a bent spoon and plastic bag both containing residue and the victim’s cellphone.
The residue was analyzed and found to contain both heroin and cocaine, court documents said. The victim’s cellphone showed messages from the victim ordering narcotics from Lugo in the days before the victim’s death.
The Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Task Force and the Groton City Police Department investigated the case, which was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jocelyn Courtney Kaoutzanis. to possess with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine and 28 grams or more of crack cocaine.
On March 3, 2017, a court-authorized search of the New London property connected to Whitley and his nephew Bashon Whitley yielded about 14.5 grams of heroin, roughly 27 grams of cocaine and about 177 grams of crack cocaine, according to court documents and statements. Additionally, items used to process and package drugs for street sale, a .380 caliber semiautomatic handgun, ammunition and $9,180 in cash were seized.
Both men were arrested on state charges at the time, according to a Wednesday news release.
Anthony Whitley, 35, of Hartford and New London pleaded guilty Tuesday before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven. He is scheduled to appear Oct. 23, 2018, for sentencing, at which time he faces anywhere from the mandatory minimum five years’ imprisonment to a maximum term of 40 years.
Bashon Whitley pleaded guilty to the same charge on May 30, 2018. Both men are being detained as they await their sentencing.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, state police Statewide Narcotics Task Force — East and New London Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Natasha M. Freismuth.