Bristol Man Indicted in Connection with Distributing Heroin to Overdose Victim

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that on March 29, 2018, a grand jury in Hartford returned an indictment charging ROGER TUSCANO, 47, of Bristol, with distributing heroin.

TUSCANO was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on October 25, 2017, and was released on a $100,000 bond into an inpatient drug treatment program.  He absconded from the treatment program on March 12 and was at large until he was located and apprehended on April 4.  He appeared yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert A. Richardson in Hartford and was ordered detained.

As alleged in court documents, on April 26, 2017, the Southington Police Department and emergency medical personnel responded to a residence for an unresponsive 54-year-old female who had suffered an apparent drug overdose.  Responders attempted lifesaving measures on the victim, including administering naloxone, with minimal effect.  The victim was then transported to the hospital.

At the scene, officers seized drug and non-drug evidence, including four wax folds that contained heroin.

The victim died on April 28.  The Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has determined that the victim’s death was caused by a combination of heroin and clonazepam.

It is alleged that on the morning of April 26, the victim purchased heroin from TUSCANO at a gas station in New Britain.

The indictment charges TUSCANO with possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, heroin, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

U.S. Attorney Durham stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt.  Charges are only allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This matter is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Task Force, Southington Police Department and Bristol Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Pierpont, Jr.

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.