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, today announced that MICKEY FRED, also known as “Frankie," 39, of Bridgeport, was arrested yesterday on a criminal complaint charging him with possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, fentanyl.
FRED appeared yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge William I. Garfinkel in Bridgeport 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.
As alleged in court document, in the afternoon of September 6, 2017, Bridgeport Police and emergency medical personal responded to a 911 call for an unresponsive woman located on the front porch of a Bridgeport residence. The victim, who was 32, was transported to the hospital where she was pronounced deceased. Officers collected evidence from the scene, including wax folds containing suspected heroin, and the victim’s cell phone.
Subsequent laboratory analysis of the wax folds revealed the presence of fentanyl, and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner reported the victim’s cause of death to be “acute fentanyl intoxication due to the combined effects of fentanyl, alprazolam and diphenhydramine.
It is alleged that FRED supplied fentanyl to the victim shortly before the victim died.
The charged offense carries 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 Task Force, Monroe Police Department and Bridgeport Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Laraia.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
