West Hartford Man Sentenced In Connection To Overdose Death

WEST HARTFORD, CT — A West Hartford man was sentenced to federal prison Thursday in connection to the overdose death of a 24-year-old woman in 2016. Stephen Maldonado, also known as “Chewy,” was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing fentanyl and PCP to the overdose victim, U.S. States Attorney for Connecticut John H. Durham announced. Maldonado was also ordered to pay restitution to the victim’s family to cover the victim’s funeral expenses. 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.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 25, 2016, Bristol Police and emergency medical personal responded to a Bristol residence on a report of an untimely death and found a deceased 24-year-old female on a bed in the residence. At the scene, officers seized drug and non-drug evidence, including the victim’s cellphone, numerous wax folds that are typically used to package heroin, and two Naloxone injectors (one used and one unused) contained within an overdose kit. A witness at the scene reported that the victim had recently sought medical assistance for bleeding from the ears, according to authorities.

The Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner subsequently determined that the victim died from fentanyl and PCP intoxication.

“The investigation revealed that Maldonado provided drugs to the victim shortly before her death,” the States Attorney’s Office wrote in a press release. “The victim’s cellphone contained numerous text messages between Maldonado and the victim. In one text message sent the day before she was found dead, the victim stated ‘Omg! Im bleeding out my ears!! Wat did u giv me?’”

Maldonado was arrested on May 26, 2016. He pleaded guilty this past September to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, fentanyl and phencyclidine (“PCP”).

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