New London Man Sentenced to 62 Months in Prison for Distributing Heroin Involved in 2 Overdoses

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that NESTOR SANTANA, also known as “Beans,” 30, of New London, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to 62 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for distributing heroin that contributed to two overdose deaths in May 2016.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in the early morning hours of May 29, 2016, members of the Groton Police Department and emergency services personnel responded to a Groton motel room on the report of a suspected drug overdose.  The victim, a 17-year-old female, was administered two doses of Narcan (Naloxone), which were deemed unsuccessful, before she was transported to the hospital and died later that morning.

The investigation revealed that Ramon Gomez, also known as “B.I.,” who knew the victim was under the age of 18, brought the victim to the motel to engage in prostitution.  On the morning of May 28, 2016, Gomez sold a quantity of heroin to Adele Bouthillier, who then distributed the heroin to the victim.  SANTANA supplied Gomez with the heroin that caused the death of the victim.

On May 31, 2016, members of the Montville Police Department responded to an apartment on Route 32 for an “untimely death” investigation.  Upon arrival, officers found a deceased 34-year-old female lying face down on the bathroom floor. 

The Connecticut’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner subsequently determined the cause of the 34-year-old female’s death to be “Acute Ethanol and Fentanyl Intoxication.”

The investigation revealed that the victim was supplied with heroin/fentanyl by James Butler.  Butler had been supplied with the drugs by Gomez, who in turn was supplied by SANTANA.

In August and September 2016, investigators made controlled purchases of heroin from SANTANA.

SANTANA was arrested on state charges on September 29, 2016.  A search of his residence at the time of his arrest revealed an additional quantity of heroin and items used to process and package narcotics.  He was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on January 31, 2017.

On September 20, SANTANA pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 100 grams or more of heroin.

Gomez and Bouthillier each pleaded guilty to sex trafficking of a minor and heroin distribution offenses.  On October 17, Bouthillier was sentenced to 43 months of imprisonment and, on December 12, Gomez was sentenced to 96 months of imprisonment.

Butler has pleaded guilty to a heroin distribution offense and awaits sentencing.

This investigation has been conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Connecticut State Police, Groton Police Department, Montville Police Department, New London Police Department, Statewide Narcotics Task Force – East, and the Regional Community Enhancement Task Force.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas P. Morabito.

This matter stem from an ongoing statewide initiative targeting narcotics dealers who distribute heroin, fentanyl or opioids that cause death or serious injury to users.