Bridgeport Man Who Distributed Heroin to Seymour Overdose Victim is Sentenced

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that RICHARD ESTABA, also known as “Raw,” 23, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to one day of imprisonment, time already served, six months of home confinement and four years of supervised release, for distributing heroin to an overdose victim in Seymour.

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 July 9, 2017, Seymour Police and emergency medical personnel responded to a residence in Seymour on a report of a suspected drug overdose.  In the bathroom of the residence, responders encountered a 29-year-old male who was not breathing and did not have a pulse.  The male was pronounced deceased.  Investigators seized the victim’s cellphone, multiple folds of suspected heroin marked with two different brand stamps, and other drugs.  Subsequent cell phone analysis and witness interviews determined that ESTABA supplied the heroin consumed by the victim shortly before he was found dead.

The Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined that the victim’s death was caused by acute intoxication due to the combined effects of cocaine, etizolam, fentanyl, flubromazolam and heroin.

In August 2017, investigators made a controlled purchase of 10 wax folds of heroin from ESTABA.  The folds were marked with a brand stamp that was found on some of the wax folds at the victim’s residence.

ESTABA was arrested on September 20, 2017.  On that date, he possessed approximately 400 folds of heroin and $1,300 in cash.

On January 24, 2018, ESTABA pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, heroin.

This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Task Force and the Seymour and Shelton Police Departments.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas P. Morabito.