Waterbury Man Pleads Guilty to Heroin Charge Stemming from Overdose Death in Winsted

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that PETER HASKELL, 32, of Waterbury, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to one count of possession with 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, in the morning of April 17, 2016, Winchester Police officers and emergency medical personnel responded to a Winsted residence on the report of an unresponsive woman. The woman, who was 27, was pronounced deceased at the scene. Within the residence, officers located and seized several opened and unopened wax folds (“bags”) of suspected heroin/fentanyl, and other narcotics paraphernalia. Investigators also seized the victim’s cell phone.

The investigation revealed that the day before she was found dead, the victim traveled to Waterbury to purchase heroin from HASKELL.

The Connecticut Chief Medical Examiner’s Office determined that the victim’s death was caused by acute intoxication due to the combined effects of fentanyl, heroin, hydrocodone and alcohol.

HASKELL was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on April 21, 2017, and has been detained since his arrest. When he is sentenced, he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. A sentencing date is not scheduled.

This matter has been investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad and the Winchester Police Department. The Tactical Diversion Squad includes participants from the New Haven, Hamden, Greenwich, Shelton, Bristol, Vernon, Wilton, Milford, Monroe and Fairfield Police Departments, and the Connecticut State Police.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert M. Spector and Natasha Freismuth.