Cheshire Man Sentenced In Connection To Overdose Death

CHESHIRE, CT — A Cheshire man with a history of convictions was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison in connection to the overdose death of a 31-year-old Southington woman in 2017. Thomas J. Halleran, 37, was also sentenced to six years of supervised release following the prison term, U.S. States Attorney for Connecticut John H. Durham announced. 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 authorities.

On July 25, 2017, Southington Police and emergency medical personnel responded to a Southington home where they found an unresponsive 31-year-old female on the floor who was pronounced deceased. Investigators seized five folds of suspected heroin/fentanyl, two empty folds, other drug paraphernalia, and the victim’s cellphone, according to authorities.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for the State of Connecticut concluded that the victim’s death was caused by the combined effects of fentanyl, acetyl fentanyl, methadone, alprazolam and alcohol.

“Analysis of the seized cellphone revealed that Halleran had been supplying heroin/fentanyl to the victim for approximately six weeks, and that he delivered heroin/fentanyl to the victim at her residence on the night of July 24, 2017,” officials wrote in a news release.

Halleran was arrested on August 16, 2017, and pleaded guilty last June to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, heroin and/or fentanyl. Halleran’s criminal history includes 25 convictions, officials said.