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Andre Reed, 25, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah A. L. Merriam in New Haven and was ordered detained.
The complaint charged Reed with possession with intent to distribute and distribution of heroin, and conspiracy to distribute heroin. Both offenses carry a maximum prison term of 20 years behind bars.
According to court documents and statements made in court, at 11:39 p.m. March 1, 2016, Danbury Police responded to a service station on a report of a woman in medical distress in a restroom. Officers found the victim on her knees, with her face on the floor, taking a deep gasping breath every 20 seconds. She also was holding a syringe.
The woman was transported to the hospital, where she was placed on life support. She has since recovered from the drug overdose.
It is alleged that Reed supplied heroin to another individual who then sold it to the victim, prosecutors said.
At 6:53 a.m. Dec. 29, 2016, Torrington Police and emergency personnel responded to a local residence on a report of an unresponsive woman. Efforts to resuscitate the victim, who was 29, were not successful. Investigators seized drug and non-drug evidence indicating that the death was an opioid overdose. Investigators also seized the victim’s cellphone.
At 8:28 a.m. Dec. 29, 2016, Torrington Police and paramedics responded to another local residence for another unresponsive woman. The victim, who was 21, was pronounced deceased at the scene. Investigators seized drug and non-drug evidence, including multiple empty “folds,” which are used to package heroin. Investigators also seized the victim’s cellphone.
Analysis of the two cellphones found that the 21-year-old victim had contacted Reed to purchase heroin on Dec. 28, 2016. Minutes later, the 21-year-old victim sent a text message to the 29-year-old victim that said, “I already called my dude he’s around.”
The cases were investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad and the Torrington, Danbury and Wilton Police Departments. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas P. Morabito.
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