Plea Entered In Fatal Southington Drug Overdose Case

Plea Entered In Fatal Southington Drug Overdose Case

Plea Entered In Fatal Southington Drug Overdose Case

SOUTHINGTON, CT — A plea has been entered in a fatal Southington drug overdose case.

John H. Durham, United States attorney for the District of Connecticut, said Thursday that Edgardo Rivera, 27, of Hartford, who goes by the street name of “Eggy,” waived his right to be indicted and entered a guilty plea before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to fentanyl distribution and firearm possession offenses.

The case 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 Durham.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on July 17, 2017, the Southington Police Department and emergency medical personnel responded to a Southington residence on a report of an unresponsive male. At the residence, medical personnel pronounced a man deceased because of a suspected drug overdose, according to case records.

Investigators collected bags, which were later found to contain fentanyl, from the scene, casae records indicate.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner subsequently determined the man’s cause of death to be “acute fentanyl toxicity,” according to case rfecords.”

The investigation revealed that the victim purchased fentanyl from Rivera the day before the victim died from ingesting the drug. Durham said.

In May and June 2018, officers and agents conducted controlled purchases of fentanyl and heroin from Rivera.

Rivera was arrested on federal criminal complaint on Oct. 5, 2018. At the time of his arrest, he was found in possession of approximately 300 grams of controlled substances, including heroin and fentanyl, Durham said. He also had a loaded 9mm pistol, and more than $14,000 in cash, Durham said.

Rivera pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, 40 grams or more of fentanyl, and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a narcotics trafficking offense.

Judge Dooley scheduled sentencing for Aug. 21, at which time Rivera faces a prison term of at least 10 years.

Rivera isbeing detained, pending sentencing.

The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Task Force, the U.S. Marshals Service and the Southington Police Department.





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