Plea Entered in Southington Heroin Overdose Case

SOUTHINGTON, CT — The defendant in a Southingon heroin overdose case has entered a plea to federal charges, a leading prosecutor said.

John H. Durham, United States attorney for the District of Connecticut, said that announced that Roger Tuscano, 48, of Bristol, entered a guilty plea on Tuesday before Chief U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to one count of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of heroin.

This charges stem from an "ongoing statewide initiative targeting narcotics dealers who distribute heroin, fentanyl or opioids that cause death or serious injury to users," Durham said.

According to case records, on April 26, 2017, Southington police and emergency medical personnel responded to a local residence for an unresponsive 54-year-old female who had suffered an apparent drug overdose.

Responders attempted lifesaving measures on the victim, including administering naloxone, with "minimal effect," Durham said. The woman was transported to an area hospital and officers seized "drug and non-drug evidence," at the scene, including four wax folds that contained heroin, according to case records.

The woman died on April 28, 2017.

The Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined that the victim’s death was caused by a combination of heroin and clonazepam.

On May 3, 2017, the Bristol Police Department conducted a court-authorized search of Tuscano's residence and seized 175 wax folds of suspected heroin, some of which had the same brand stamp as the wax folds found with the victim on April 26.

Investigators also seized three cellphones from the residence.

The investigation, which included witness interviews and analysis of Tuscano's cell phones, revealed that the victim purchased heroin from Tuscano at a gas station in New Britain on the morning of April 26, 2017.

Tuscano was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on Oct. 25, 2017.

Chief Judge Hall scheduled sentencing for Sept. 18, at which time Tuscano faces a maximum term of 20 years in prison.

Tuscano is being detained, pending sentencing.

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