Man Pleads Guilty to Sex Trafficking and Fatally Disturbing Heroin to a Minor at Groton Motel

UNCASVILLE, CT - Ramon Gomez, also known as “B.I.,” 40, of Uncasville, pleaded guilty Thursday in New Haven federal court to sex trafficking of a minor and heroin distribution offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in the early morning hours of May 29, members of the Groton Police Department and emergency services personnel responded to a Groton motel room on the report of a suspected drug overdose. The victim, a 17-year-old female, was administered two doses of Narcan (Naloxone), which were deemed unsuccessful, before she was transported to the hospital and died later that morning.

The investigation revealed that Gomez, who knew the victim was under the age of 18, brought the victim to the motel to engage in prostitution. On the morning of May 28, Gomez sold a quantity of heroin to another individual who then distributed the heroin to the victim.

Gomez was arrested on state charges on June 1.

“Two of our office’s highest priorities are aimed at protecting our youth: Rooting out child sex trafficking and stemming the opioid abuse and overdose epidemic,” U.S. Attorney Dierdre M. Daly said in a release. “This case tragically and maddeningly combines the two. I thank our federal partners in these efforts, notably the DEA and HSI, and the Groton Police Department and Regional Community Enhancement Task Force for their investigative work in this matter. All are working tirelessly to save the most vulnerable among us from abuse and exploitation.”

Gomez pleaded guilty to one count of sex trafficking of a minor, and offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life, and one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin, and offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

Gomez is scheduled to be sentenced in Hartford on Feb. 10, 2017. He has been detained since his arrest. The matter stems from an ongoing statewide initiative targeting narcotics dealers who distribute heroin, fentanyl or opioids that cause death or serious injury to users.

The investigation is being conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, the Town of Groton Police Department and the Regional Community Enhancement Task Force.

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