Hartford Man Sentenced to 4 Years in Federal Prison for Distributing Heroin and Crack to Overdose Victim

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that NEFTY RODRIGUEZ, 24, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 48 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing heroin and crack cocaine to an overdose victim in 2015.

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 August 23, 2015, a 21-year-old Tolland woman was rushed to Rockville Hospital after her mother found her in medical distress as a result of a likely drug overdose.  The bloodwork from the hospital confirmed that the woman had heroin and cocaine in her system.  The victim, who is now at a hospital in New Hampshire, has no brain activity and is in a permanent vegetative state.

RODRIGUEZ was subsequently identified as the source of the drugs consumed by the victim that resulted in her overdose.

RODRIGUEZ was arrested on August 4, 2017.  On January 30, 2018, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, heroin and cocaine base (“crack cocaine”).

This matter was investigated by the Manchester Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Task Force.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter D. Markle.