Bridgeport Man Pleads Guilty to Distributing Heroin to Monroe Overdose Victim

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that CAREEM BENTLEY, also known as “C-Lows,” 34, of Bridgeport, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today in New Haven federal court to one count of distribution of heroin.

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 November 23, 2016, Monroe Police and emergency medical personnel responded to a residence in Monroe on a report of a suspected drug overdose. At the scene, responders encountered an unresponsive 37-year-old male lying on the floor. The male was pronounced deceased. Investigators seized the victim’s cellphone, multiple folds of suspected heroin, and other items, and subsequently concluded that the victim purchased heroin from BENTLEY in the late evening of November 22, 2016.

BENTLEY was arrested on a criminal complaint on April 26, 2017, and is currently detained. He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford on November 3, 2017, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

This matter has been investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad and Monroe Police Department. The Tactical Diversion Squad includes participants from the New Haven, Hamden, Greenwich, Shelton, Bristol, Vernon, Wilton, Milford, Monroe and Fairfield Police Departments, and the Connecticut State Police.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas P. Morabito.