Man sentenced forentanyl involved in fatal overdose

NEW HAVEN — A Hamden man received 12 months in federal prison for distributing fentanyl disguised as oxycodone

Agustin Cirino, 30, was sentenced Thursday by Chief U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to a year and one day in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. He also was ordered to perform 200 hours of community service, John H. Durham, United States attorney for Connecticut, announced in a news release.

The case 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, on March 9, 2017, the Hamden Police Department and emergency medical personnel responded to a Hamden residence where a 30-year-old male was found dead, the release said. At the scene, investigators seized evidence, including three suspected oxycodone tablets and the victim’s cellphone. The investigation revealed that the victim arranged to purchase oxycodone tablets from Cirino on March 7 and March 8, Durham announced.

A Drug Enforcement Administration laboratory subsequently determined that the tablets contained fentanyl, acetaminophen and dipyrone, not oxycodone. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner also determined that the victim died as a result of “acute fentanyl toxicity, clonazepam, duloxetine use,” the release stated.

Cirino was arrested on May 9, 2017. On Nov. 16, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of fentanyl.

This matter was investigated by the DEA’s New Haven Task Force and the Hamden Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian P. Leaming.