Following Woman's Overdose Death, Accused Heroin Dealer is Arrested

Milford, CT — A Bridgeport man was arrested for distributing heroin after an ongoing investigation following a Monroe woman's death, officials said in a release.

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 Wednesday that Daquone Johnson, 24, was charged by criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, heroin, and conspiracy to distribute heroin.  Daly said the charges carry a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years on each count.

On May 9, 2016, a 30-year-old female was found unresponsive at a Monroe residence, Daly said.  Police and medical personnel attempted to revive her with Narcan, however the victim was not responsive and was pronounced dead after being transported to the hospital, Daly said.

Hospital personnel found unopened folds on the woman that tested positive for heroin and fentanyl, according to a release. The Connecticut Office of the Medical Examiner determined the woman’s cause of death to be acute heroin and fentanyl toxicity. 

Based upon an investigation of cell phone records, by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad, and the Monroe, Milford and Bridgeport Police Departments, detectives found that the victim ordered heroin from Johnson on the day of her death.

Johnson was arrested on June 13, 2016, after police conducted a controlled purchase of heroin from him.  He appeared Tuesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge William I Garfinkel in Bridgeport and was released on a $125,000 bond.

The Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force includes participants from the New Haven, Hamden, Greenwich, Shelton, Bristol, Vernon, Wilton, Milford, Monroe, Fairfield and Middlebury Police Departments, and the Connecticut State Police.  

Image via Flickr Creative Commons by  Dimitris Kalogeropoylos