Hartford Man Sentenced to Prison for Distributing Heroin and Fentanyl to Rocky Hill Overdose Victim

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that EDWIN ESCRIBANO, also known as “Bebo,” 26, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to 37 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing heroin and fentanyl to an overdose victim in 2016.

This prosecution is part of 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 September 14, 2016, Rocky Hill Police and emergency medical personnel responded to a restaurant on a report of a male who had overdosed and was not breathing.  The male, who was 29 years old, was pronounced deceased at the scene.  Officers seized drug and non-drug evidence, including a cellophane tourniquet and syringe in the restaurant bathroom that ultimately tested positive for the presence of heroin and fentanyl.  The investigation, which included analysis of the victim’s and ESCRIBANO’s cellphones, revealed that ESCRIBANO had provided the drugs to the victim shortly before the victim’s death.

Analysis of ESCRIBANO’s cellphone revealed thousands of text messages pertaining to his heroin trafficking activity between June 2016 and May 2017.

ESCRIBANO was arrested on federal criminal complaint on May 30, 2017.  On November 14, 2017, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of fentanyl and heroin.

ESCRIBANO, who is released on bond, was ordered to report to prison on March 13.

This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Rocky Hill Police Department.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John T. Pierpont, Jr. and Lauren Clark.