East Hartford Man Charged with Fentanyl Distribution Offenses

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, announced that OMARI LEWIS, 24, of East Hartford, was arrested today on an indictment charging him with fentanyl distribution offenses.

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, in December 2021, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Tactical Diversion Squad began investigating Lewis and others for distributing fentanyl in the East Hartford and Manchester area.  In December 2021 and January 2022, investigators made two controlled purchases of fentanyl from Lewis.

On June 7, 2023, a grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment charging Lewis with two counts of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, fentanyl, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years on each count.

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

Lewis is released on a $75,000 bond pending trial.

This matter is being investigated by the DEA New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad.  The DEA Tactical Diversion Squad is composed of personnel from the DEA and the Manchester, Glastonbury, West Haven, Hamden, Newington, and Bristol Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren C. Clark and Stephanie T. Levick.