Groton Man Who Sold Drugs to Overdose Victim is Sentenced

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ULPIANO LUGO, 38, of Groton, was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Judge Alfred V. Covello in Hartford to 24 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing narcotics to an individual who overdosed shortly thereafter.

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 April 22, 2017, at approximately 7:37 p.m., Groton City Police and emergency medical personnel responded to a residence in Groton and found an unresponsive 37-year-old male in the bedroom of the residence.  The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene.  Officers collected from the bedroom one used syringe that was one-third full of an unknown liquid, a bent metal spoon with an off-white residue on the surface, one plastic bag with powder residue, and the victim’s cellphone.

Subsequent analysis of the powder residue revealed the presence of heroin and cocaine, and text messages from the victim’s cellphone confirmed that the victim had ordered narcotics from LUGO in the days before the victim’s death.

On May 8, 2018, LUGO pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, heroin and/or cocaine.

This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Task Force and the Groton City Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jocelyn Courtney Kaoutzanis.