Norwich Man Sentenced to Months in Prison After Overdose Investigation

NORWICH, CT - A Norwich man was sentenced Wednesday to 30 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing heroin.

This matter stems from an ongoing statewide initiative targeting narcotics dealers who distribute heroin, fentanyl or opioids that cause death or serious injury to users, according to a release.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Norwich Police responded to a medical emergency on April 9 at the residence of 35-year old Jonathan Fisher. The emergency involved an 18-year-old male who had died from an apparent heroin overdose.

Fisher was not present at the time law enforcement had arrived. A search of the victim’s wallet revealed one used glassine baggy and 10 unopened baggies marked with a particular brand stamp.

A field test of the substance yielded a positive presence for both heroin and fentanyl.

Approximately one month prior to the overdose death, Fisher was arrested by Norwich Police after he was found in possession of numerous baggies of heroin that were marked with the same stamp.

On April 12, Norwich Police arrested Fisher at a Norwich hotel. A search of Fisher’s wallet contained two glassine baggies containing suspected heroin and marked with the same brand stamp.

A search of the hotel room where Fisher had been staying revealed more than 300 bags of heroin, prescription narcotics, more than one pound of marijuana, a digital scale and hundreds of empty glassine bags marked with the same stamp.

On May 2, 2016, Fisher pleaded guilty to one count of possession with the intent to distribute, and distribution of, heroin. Fisher was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service at the conclusion of Wednesday’s court proceeding.

This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad and the Norwich Police Department. The Tactical Diversion Squad includes members from the New Haven, Hamden, Greenwich, Shelton, Bristol, Vernon, Wilton, Milford, Monroe, Fairfield and Manchester Police Departments, and the Connecticut State Police.

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