Bridgeport Man Sentenced In Overdose Death: Feds

BRIDGEPORT, CT — A Bridgeport man who sold fentanyl used in an overdose case was sentenced to more than 11 years in prison, according to a statement from federal prosecutors. John Matthews, aka "Jay" and "Gotti," 36, will also serve three years of supervised release.

His case is related to a 35-year-old Trumbull man who died of a drug overdose Nov. 1, 2018. An investigation revealed that Matthews sold the fentanyl that cause the victim's death, according to prosecutors.

The day after the overdose, investigators posing as the overdose victim and using the victim's cell phone posed as the overdose victim and placed an order for drugs from Matthews. He was arrested after he arrived at the victim's home to complete the deal, according to prosecutors.

Investigators found Matthews possessed 247 wax folds of fentanyl and $1,828 in cash when he was arrested.

Matthews’s criminal history includes multiple drug-related convictions, and he was on state parole when he distributed the fentanyl involved in the overdose death.

Matthews has been detained since in state custody since Feb. 11, 2019, when he was arrested and charged with stealing a firearm, criminal weapon possession and possession of controlled substances offenses.

He pleaded guilty in June in federal court to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl.