Middletown Overdose Death Leads to 30 Months Sentence For Heroin Dealer

From the United States Attorney's Office, District of Connecticut.
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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that, YACOV OCASIO, also known as “Little,” 21, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to 30 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing heroin. Judge Thompson also ordered OCASIO to perform 150 hours of community service.

This 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. 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.

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

OCASIO was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on January 18, 2017. On February 24, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, heroin.

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

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert Spector and Jocelyn Kaoutzanis, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Eugene Calistro, with the support and assistance of the Middlesex State’s Attorney’s Office.