Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, 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 THOMAS J. HALLERAN, 36, of Cheshire, was arrested today on a federal criminal complaint charging him with distributing heroin.
HALLERAN appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert A. Richardson in Hartford and was ordered detained pending a detention hearing that is scheduled for August 23.
As alleged in court documents, on July 25, 2017, Southington Police and emergency medical personnel responded to a residence in Southington where they encountered an unresponsive 31-year-old female on the floor. The female was pronounced deceased. Investigators seized two folds of suspected heroin and/or fentanyl, other drug paraphernalia, and the victim’s cellphone. Analysis of the seized cellphone revealed that HALLERAN supplied heroin/fentanyl to the victim shortly before the victim’s death.
The complaint charges HALLERAN with possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, heroin, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.
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 Southington Police Department. The Tactical Diversion Squad includes participants from the New Haven, Hamden, Greenwich, Shelton, Bristol, Vernon, Wilton, Milford, Monroe and Fairfield Police Departments, and the Connecticut State Police.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Deborah R. Slater.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
