New Haven Resident Sentenced to 42 Months in Federal Prison for Role in Narcotics Distribution Ring

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that LISA FAUSEL, 61, of New Haven, formerly of Milford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Omar A. Williams in Hartford to 42 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for participating in a narcotics distribution conspiracy.

According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from an investigation by the FBI’s New Haven Safe Streets/Gang Task Force and the DEA New Haven’s Tactical Diversion Squad targeting the manufacture and distribution of counterfeit oxycodone tablets containing fentanyl and counterfeit Adderall tablets containing methamphetamine, and the distribution of heroin and cocaine, in the New Haven area.  The investigation, which included court-authorized wiretaps, physical and electronic surveillance, and traffic stops and searches, revealed that Willis Taylor, of West Haven, coordinated the manufacture of counterfeit pills, which he distributed to others for further distribution.  The investigation also revealed the distribution of other controlled substances.

On February 2, 2023, a court authorized search of a Milford motel room where Fausel was living revealed approximately $94,500 in cash, 832 grams of cocaine, and plastic bags full of hundreds of blue pills that tested positive for fentanyl.

Fausel was arrested on March 28, 2023.  On July 10, 2024, she pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, controlled substances.

Fausel, who is released on a $100,000 bond, is required to report to prison on December 16.

Fausel, Taylor, and 12 others were federally charged as a result of this investigation.  Taylor pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.

This matter has been investigated by the DEA New Haven’s Tactical Diversion Squad, the FBI’s New Haven Safe Streets/Gang Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the U.S. Marshals Service.  The DEA Tactical Diversion Squad is composed of personnel from the DEA, the Connecticut State Police, and the West Haven, Hamden, Manchester, Bristol, Fairfield, and Seymour Police Departments.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ross Weingarten, Katherine Boyles, and Konstantin Lantsman, in coordination with the New Haven and Milford State’s Attorney’s Offices.

This case is being prosecuted through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program.  OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.  Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

In March 2024, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the DEA’s New England Field Division released a public service announcement warning of the danger of fentanyl and the proliferation of counterfeit prescription pills.  Click here for more information.