Man Tied to Bethel Overdoses Pleads Guilty to Drug Charges

NEW HAVEN, CT — A Bethel man is facing up to 20 years in prison after he plead guilty to drug distribution charges following the overdose deaths of two women in town last year, according to an announcement from U.S. Attorney Deirdre M. Daly.

Paul Mignani, 51, pled guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute and the distribution of heroin and cocaine. Police tied Mignani to the overdose deaths of two women in Bethel in 2016. According to the U.S. Attorney's office, Mignani faces up to 20 years in prison.

The case against Mignani stems from a statewide initiative targeting narcotics dealers who distribute drugs that cause serious injury or death to users, according to the announcement. To sign up for Bethel breaking news alerts and more, click here.

Court documents and statements show that police responded to a Bethel residence on July 31, 2016, and found a 54-year-old woman unresponsive. Investigators found that Mignani sold the heroin, fentanyl and cocaine that was consumed by the victim before her death.

Later on December 11, officers responded to Mignani's residence for an unresponsive 25-year-old woman who was pronounced dead. Investigators seized three empty heroin folds from the victim's purse and six empty folds in her pocket.

According to the U.S. Attorney's office, investigators searched Mignani's home the next day and found three plastic bags of cocaine and $1,531 in cash as well as multiple cell phones. He was arrested on state charges, and found to have sold heroin and cocaine to the victim before her death.

Mignani has been in custody since his arrest on a federal criminal complaint on Dec. 28. Sentencing is set for June 20.

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