Norwich Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Heroin Distribution Charge

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Michael J. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, announced that JONATHAN FISHER, 34, of Norwich, waived his right to indictment and pleaded guilty today in Hartford federal court to one count of possession with the intent to distribute, and distribution of, heroin.

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 9, 2016, Norwich Police responded to a medical emergency at FISHER’s residence.  The emergency involved an 18-year-old male who had died from an apparent heroin overdose.  FISHER was not present at the time law enforcement had arrived.  A search of the victim’s wallet revealed one used glassine baggy and 10 unopened baggies marked with a particular brand stamp.  A field test of the substance in the baggies yielded a positive presence for both heroin and fentanyl.

Approximately one month prior to the overdose death, FISHER was arrested by Norwich Police after he was found in possession of numerous baggies of heroin that were marked with the same stamp.

On April 12, 2016, Norwich Police arrested FISHER at a Norwich hotel.  A search of FISHER’s wallet contained two glassine baggies containing suspected heroin and marked with the same brand stamp.  A search of the hotel room where FISHER had been staying revealed more than 300 bags of heroin, prescription narcotics, more than one pound of marijuana, a digital scale and hundreds of empty glassine bags marked with the same stamp.

FISHER was charged by federal complaint on April 20 and is detained.  He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant on July 27, 2016.  The offense carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. 

This matter is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad and the Norwich Police Department.  The Task Force includes participants from the New Haven, Hamden, Greenwich, Shelton, Bristol, Vernon and Wilton Police Departments.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Avi M. Perry.