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, announced that CHRISTOPHER STEVENS, 25, of East Lyme, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today in New Haven federal court to one count of distribution of heroin. This prosecution is part of 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, early in the morning of June 4, 2016, East Lyme Police and emergency medical personnel responded to a vehicle parked on the side of a road with its engine running and found a 25-year-old male slumped over dead in the driver’s seat, and a young child in the rear seat. Investigators also found a torn wax paper baggy in the man’s hand and several other baggies under his body.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for the State of Connecticut subsequently determined that the victim died from acute heroin and fentanyl toxicities.
The investigation revealed that, shortly before he overdosed, the victim met STEVENS at STEVENS’ East Lyme residence, and STEVENS provided heroin to the victim at that time.
The charge of distribution of heroin carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. STEVENS is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer on April 12, 2017.
This matter is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Tactical Diversion Squad with the assistance of the East Lyme Police Department.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer P. Laraia and Michael E. Runowicz.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
