John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that JOHN RODRIGUEZ, 37, of West Haven, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty yesterday in Bridgeport federal court to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, heroin.
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, shortly after midnight on November 7, 2015, Bridgeport Police and emergency medical personnel responded to a residence in Bridgeport after a 29-year-old male had been found unresponsive by his roommate. The victim was transported by ambulance to the hospital where, after several attempts to revive him, he was pronounced dead.
The investigation, which included witness interviews and analysis of text message communication, revealed that RODRIGUEZ supplied heroin to the victim the day before he died.
A post-mortem toxicology report found fentanyl, marijuana and several anti-depressant drugs in the victim’s system, and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for the State of Connecticut concluded that the victim died from acute fentanyl intoxication.
RODRIGUEZ was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on Sept. 22, 2016.
RODRIGUEZ is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford on March 5, 2018, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.
At the conclusion of yesterday’s guilty plea proceeding, U.S. Magistrate Judge William I. Garfinkel ordered RODRIGUEZ, who had been released on bond, to be remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
This matter has been investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad and the West Haven and Bridgeport Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert M. Spector.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
