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, today announced that on Monday, DAQUONE JOHNSON, 24, of Bridgeport, was arrested on heroin distribution offenses. The charges stem from an ongoing statewide initiative targeting narcotics dealers who distribute heroin, fentanyl or opioids that cause death or serious injury to users.
JOHNSON is charged by criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, heroin, and conspiracy to distribute heroin. The charges carry a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years on each count.
According the complaint, on May 9, 2016, a 30-year-old female was found unresponsive at a residence in Monroe. Police and medical personnel responded to the scene and administered multiple doses of Narcan to the victim. The victim, who did not respond to the Narcan, was transported to the hospital where she was pronounced dead. While administering aide to the victim, hospital staff located unopened heroin folds on the victim’s person. The substance within the folds later tested positive for heroin and fentanyl, and the Connecticut Office of the Medical Examiner has determined the victim’s cause of death to be acute heroin and fentanyl toxicity.
Based on an investigation that has included witness interviews and analysis of calls and text messages to and from the victim’s phone, the complaint alleges that the victim ordered heroin from JOHNSON on the day of her death.
JOHNSON was arrested on June 13, 2016, after law enforcement conducted a controlled purchase of heroin from him. He appeared yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge William I Garfinkel in Bridgeport and was released on a $125,000 bond.
U.S. Attorney Daly stressed that a complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This matter is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad, and the Monroe, Milford and Bridgeport Police Departments. The Task Force includes participants from the New Haven, Hamden, Greenwich, Shelton, Bristol, Vernon, Wilton, Milford, Monroe, Fairfield and Middlebury Police Departments, and the Connecticut State Police. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas P. Morabito.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
