Barkhamsted Man Sentenced to Prison for Distributing Fentanyl to Overdose Victim

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that GARRETT GOMEZ, 27, of Barkhamsted, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Alker Meyer in New Haven to 12 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for distributing fentanyl involved in an overdose death in 2016.

This prosecution is part of 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 May 20, 2016, Torrington Police and emergency medical personnel responded to a residence in Torrington and found a deceased 30-year-old male lying on his bed.  At the scene, investigators collected six wax paper folds and three torn wax paper folds found on a bedside table.  They also found a hypodermic needle at the feet of the victim.

Subsequent laboratory testing of the contents of the wax folds confirmed the presence of fentanyl, and the State of Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined that the victim died from acute fentanyl intoxication. 

The investigation, which included analysis of text messages contained on the victim’s cell phone, revealed that in the evening of May 19, 2016, the victim agreed to meet with GOMEZ to purchase “9 for 60.”  In the victim’s automobile, investigators found an ATM receipt showing a $60 withdrawal.

GOMEZ was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on August 23, 2016.  On November 13, 2017, he pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of fentanyl. 

As part of the sentence, Judge Meyer ordered GOMEZ to pay restitution of $10,194 to the victim’s family to cover the victim’s funeral expenses.

This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force and the Torrington Police Department.  The Task Force includes personnel from the DEA Hartford Resident Office and the Bristol, Hartford, East Hartford, Manchester, New Britain, Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, Windsor Locks and Willimantic Police Departments.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter S. Jongbloed.