John H. Durham, 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 ANDRE REED, 25, of Waterbury, was arrested today on a criminal complaint charging him with heroin distribution offenses.
REED appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah A. L. Merriam in New Haven and was ordered detained.
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, on March 1, 2016, at approximately 11:39 p.m., Danbury Police responded to a service station on the report of a woman in medical distress in a restroom. At the location, officers observed the victim on her knees, with her face on the floor, taking a deep gasping breath every 20 seconds. The victim also was holding a syringe. The victim was transported to the hospital, where she was placed on life support. She has since recovered from the overdose.
It is alleged that REED supplied heroin to another individual who then sold it to the victim.
On Dec. 29, 2016, at approximately 6:53 a.m., Torrington Police and emergency personnel responded to a Torrington residence on the report of an unresponsive female at the residence. Efforts to resuscitate the victim, who was 29, were not successful. Investigators seized drug and non-drug evidence indicating that the death was an opioid overdose. Investigators also seized the victim’s cell phone.
On Dec. 29, 2016, at approximately 8:28 a.m., Torrington Police and paramedics responded to another Torrington residence on the report of an unresponsive female. The victim, who was 21, was pronounced deceased at the scene. Investigators seized drug and non-drug evidence, including multiple empty “folds," which are commonly used to package heroin. Investigators also seized the victim’s cell phone.
As alleged in the complaint, analysis of the cell phones seized from the two Torrington overdose victims revealed that the 21-year-old victim contacted REED to purchase heroin on Dec. 28, 2016. Minutes later, the 21-year-old victim sent a text message to the 29-year-old victim that said “I already called my dude he’s around."
The complaint charges REED with possession with intent to distribute and distribution of heroin, and conspiracy to distribute heroin. Both offenses carry a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.
U.S. Attorney Durham 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 Torrington, Danbury and Wilton Police Departments. 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
