Hartford Man Sentenced For Distributing Heroin Used In Fatal Overdose

HARTFORD, CT — A Hartford man was sentenced this week to 30 months in federal prison for distributing heroin that was used in the overdose death of a 28-year-old man in Middletown last year. Yacov Ocasio, also known as “Little,” 21, was also sentenced to three years of supervised release following the prison term and was ordered to perform 150 hours of community service, U.S. States Attorney Deirdre M. Daly 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, on August 26, 2016, Middletown Police and emergency medical personnel responded to a Middletown apartment on the report of a possible overdose and found an unresponsive 28-year-old male lying in a bed.

“Medical intervention was unsuccessful and the victim was pronounced dead,” Daly wrote in the press release. “Officers located and seized one torn baggy, commonly used to package heroin, from the victim’s pants pocket. Officers also seized the victim’s iPhone.”

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for the State of Connecticut subsequently determined that the victim died from acute heroin and fentanyl toxicities.

The investigation revealed that, on August 25, 2016, the victim arranged to purchase heroin from Ocasio, and then drove to Hartford to complete the purchase, according to Daly.

In November 2016, investigators conducted a controlled purchase of heroin from Ocasio.

Ocasio was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on Jan. 18 and pleaded guilty in February to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, heroin.

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