Fairfield Man Sentenced In Connection To Fatal Overdose

FAIRFIELD, CT — A Fairfield man was sentenced Tuesday to 12 months and one day in prison for distributing heroin and fentanyl that was involved in an overdose death of a 35-year-old man in Deep River in 2016, according to authorities. John Vibbert, 37, was also sentenced to three years of supervised release following the prison term, U.S. States Attorney for Connecticut John H. Durham announced in a press release. The 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, in the early hours of May 31, 2016, Connecticut State Police and emergency medical personnel responded to a residence in Deep River and found an unresponsive 35-year-old male. Although CPR was performed and Narcan was administered, the man was pronounced deceased at the scene, according to Durham.

“The investigation, which has included analysis of the victim’s cellphone and a witness interview, revealed that, on May 30, 2016, the victim contacted Vibbert to purchase heroin,” Durham wrote in a press release. “The victim then drove to a restaurant near I-95 in Bridgeport where he met Vibbert to complete the purchase.”

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined the victim’s cause of death to be “acute heroin and fentanyl toxicities,” according to Durham.

Vibbert was arrested on a criminal complaint on March 27, 2017 and pleaded guilty in August to one count of distribution of heroin and fentanyl.

Vibbert, who is released on a $50,000 bond, was ordered to report to prison on April 30.

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