Cheshire Man Admits to Distributing Narcotics to Overdose Victim

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that THOMAS J. HALLERAN, 36, of Cheshire, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today in Hartford federal court to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, heroin and/or fentanyl.

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 25, 2017, Southington Police and emergency medical personnel responded to a residence in Southington where they encountered an unresponsive 31-year-old female on the floor.  The female was pronounced deceased.  Investigators seized five folds of suspected heroin/fentanyl, two empty folds, other drug paraphernalia, and the victim’s cellphone. 

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for the State of Connecticut concluded that the victim’s death was caused by the combined effects of fentanyl, acetyl fentanyl, methadone, alprazolam and alcohol.

Analysis of the seized cellphone revealed that HALLERAN had been supplying heroin/fentanyl to the victim for approximately six weeks, and that he delivered heroin/fentanyl to the victim at her residence on the night of July 24, 2017.

HALLERAN is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford on September 21, 2018.  The offense carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

HALLERAN is detained pending sentencing.

This matter has been investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Task Force and the Southington Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Deborah R. Slater.