Hartford Man Pleads Guilty to Selling Heroin and Fentanyl to Overdose Victim

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that JOSE GONZALEZ, also known as “Montana,” “Beat Montana” and “Carl Montana,” 22, of Hartford, pleaded guilty yesterday in Hartford federal court to one count possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, heroin and 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, at approximately 10:30 a.m., on April 26, 2017, East Hartford Police and emergency medical personnel were dispatched to a residence on Main Street in East Hartford on a report of an unconscious male who was not breathing.  First responders located 20-year-old male on the couch in the living room and pronounced him deceased.  At the scene, investigators located and collected drug paraphernalia, several empty wax baggies, and the victim’s cellphone.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner subsequently determined that the victim’s death was caused by “acute intoxication due to the combined effects of alprazolam, fentanyl and heroin.”

The investigation, which has included witness interviews and analysis of the victim’s cellphone, revealed that the victim traveled to Hartford the night before his death and purchased heroin/fentanyl from GONZALEZ.  Analysis of another individual’s cellphone revealed that GONZALEZ sold heroin and fentanyl from at least December 2016 through April 2017.

GONZALEZ was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on November 30, 2017.

GONZALEZ is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea on August 15, 2018, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.  He has been detained since his arrest.

This matter is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force, East Hartford Police Department and Monroe Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jocelyn Courtney Kaoutzanis.