NEW HAVEN, Conn. — A New Haven man was sentenced in the city to eight years in prison on Tuesday for contributing to the overdose death of a 22-year-old man in 2021, according to a release from the U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut.
Jerrard Santiago, 44, was sentenced for narcotics distribution stemming from the 2021 overdose death investigation. Santiago’s prison sentence will be followed by three years of supervised release, prosecutors said.
According to court documents and statements, on May 28, 2021, Santiago sold fentanyl-laced cocaine to the 22-year-old man in a restroom at the Mohegan Sun casino. The man who purchased the cocaine overdosed on the casino floor and died around 11 days later, according to prosecutors.
Prosecutors added that investigators made a controlled purchase of fentanyl and heroin from Santiago on Feb. 3, 2023. 11 days later, a controlled purchase of fentanyl and cocaine was made from Santiago as well, prosecutors said.
Police arrested Santiago on March 30, 2023 and detained him ever since. Prosecutors said he pleaded guilty to two counts of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, a controlled substance.
U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Meyer concluded after an evidentiary hearing in April 2024 that Meyer knowingly distributed the drugs that caused the victim’s overdose and eventual death.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Agency and the Mohegan Tribal Police.
----
Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
----
Do you have a story idea or something on your mind you want to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at newstips@fox61.com.
----
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET FOX61 NEWS
Download the FOX61 News APP
iTunes: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Stream Live on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching FOX61.
Steam Live on FIRE TV: Search ‘FOX61’ and click ‘Get’ to download.
