Overdose Investigation Leads to Heroin Distribution Charges against Bridgeport Man

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, today announced that JEVAUGHN WATSON, 23, of Bridgeport, was arrested yesterday on a criminal complaint charging him with possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, heroin.  The charge stems from an ongoing statewide initiative targeting narcotics dealers who distribute heroin, fentanyl or opioids that cause death or serious injury to users.

According the complaint, on August 18, 2016, Trumbull Police and emergency medical personnel responded to a residence in Trumbull and found an unresponsive 25-year-old female on the floor of a bedroom.  The victim was pronounced deceased shortly thereafter.  Investigators searched the victim’s pocketbook and found several empty wax folds and some wax folds that contained suspected heroin.  Analysis of text messages contained on the victim’s cellphone revealed that the victim had ordered heroin from WATSON several times over the course of approximately two months prior to the victim’s death.

WATSON appeared yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge William I. Garfinkel in Bridgeport and was ordered detained.

The charge of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, heroin, carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

U.S. Attorney Daly stressed that a complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This matter is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Bridgeport Resident Office, the DEA’s New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad and the Trumbull and Monroe Police Departments, with the assistance of the Bridgeport Police Department.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas P. Morabito.