Man pleads guilty in drug overdose case

HARTFORD » A 23-year-old Hartford man has pleaded guilty to federal charges in connection with his involvement in the overdose of an East Haddam victim.

Hector Raul Cintron, also known as “G” and “Big G,” was arrested Dec. 15, 2016, on a federal criminal complaint charging him with distributing heroin. He pleaded guilty Tuesday in Hartford federal court to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, heroin, according to U.S. Attorney Deirdre M. Daly.

This matter stems from an ongoing statewide initiative targeting narcotics dealers who distribute heroin, fentanyl or opioids that cause death or serious injury to users. According to court documents

and statements made in court, in the morning of March 19, 2016, Connecticut State Police and emergency medical personnel responded to a home in East Haddam on the report of an “untimely death.” The victim, an 18-year-old man, was pronounced dead at the scene.

At the scene, state police seized the victim’s cell phone and multiple glassine bags containing powder residue. The investigation revealed that Kerry Scanlan, of Avon, arranged to buy heroin from Cintron in Hartford. On March 18, 2016, the victim drove to Avon, picked up Scanlan and then drove to Hartford to buy heroin from Cintron.

On April 4, 2016, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner issued a report listing the victim’s cause of death as “acute fentanyl intoxication.”

On two occasions in November 2016, Cintron sold approximately 200 bags of heroin to a person working with law enforcement.

Cintron is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant on Sept. 20, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. He is released on a $50,000 bond.

Scanlan pleaded guilty to a related charge and awaits sentencing.

This matter has been investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Connecticut State Police Statewide Narcotics Task Force East and the East Haddam resident trooper. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas P. Morabito.