Alleged Heroin Dealer Charged With Distributing Fatal Dose

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Anthony Vita, 36, of Syracuse, New York was arrested yesterday in Virginia Beach, Virginia on a complaint filed in United States District Court for the Northern District of New York (Syracuse) charging him with distributing a controlled substance (heroin) resulting in the death of another person, announced United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian

The victim, a twenty-four year old resident of Camillus, New York, was five months pregnant when she died of a heroin and fentanyl overdose on November 7, 2015 at her home, as alleged in the complaint. The complaint further alleges that Investigators recovered a text message exchange between Vita and the victim on the night of her death that included arrangements for them to meet so he could sell her heroin and a hypodermic needle.

Following his court appearance in Norfolk, Virginia, Vita was ordered to remain in custody pending his appearance in federal court in Syracuse, New York sometime next week.

The charge filed against Anthony Vita carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in prison, and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000,000.00, and a term of supervised release of at least 3 years and up to life. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

The charges in the complaint are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

This case is being investigated by United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Town of Camillus (New York) Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Carla Freedman.