Danbury Man Pleads Guilty to Heroin Distribution Charge Stemming from Overdose Death

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOSE GREGORY CHARON, also known as “Yoshi,” 31, of Danbury, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today in Hartford federal court to one count of distribution of heroin.

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 April 9, 2017, the Danbury Police Department responded to Danbury residence on a report of an untimely death of a woman.  Investigators collected from the scene three cellphones, a bottle of methadone and an empty glassine bag marked with a particular brand stamp.  Testing of the contents of the bag confirmed that it contained heroin. 

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined that the victim died on April 8, 2017, as a result of a methadone and benzodiazepine (Xanax) overdose.

In May 2017, investigators made two controlled purchases of heroin from CHARON.  Several of the bags of heroin purchased on both occasions were marked with the same brand stamp that was on the empty bag found in the overdose victim’s residence.

CHARON was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on September 12.

The charge of distribution of heroin carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.  CHARON is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea on March 12, 2018.

This matter has been investigated by the DEA’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force, the Danbury Police Department and the Darien Police Department.  The Task Force includes members from the Bridgeport, Stamford, Stratford, Norwalk and Milford Police Departments, and the Connecticut State Police.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Douglas P. Morabito and David C. Nelson.