Norwich Heroin Dealer Sentenced in Overdose Death

A fatal heroin overdose at a Norwich residence has led to a 30-month federal prison sentence for 35-year-old Jonathan Fisher. Fisher, of Norwich, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, heroin. The case traces back to the April 9, 2016 death of an 18-year-old male who collapsed at Fisher’s home after using heroin laced with fentanyl.

Fisher was not present when police and EMS arrived, but evidence quickly pointed to his involvement. A search of the victim’s belongings uncovered 10 unopened glassine baggies stamped with a distinct brand — the same stamp tied to heroin Fisher had been caught selling weeks earlier. Field tests confirmed the presence of both heroin and fentanyl in the narcotics found on the deceased.

The investigation intensified just one month before the overdose, when Norwich Police arrested Fisher during a prior drug sweep. He was found in possession of multiple glassine bags of heroin bearing the identical brand stamp later linked to the fatality. That prior arrest laid the groundwork for law enforcement to move swiftly when the overdose occurred.

On April 12, 2016, Fisher was taken into custody again, this time at a Norwich hotel. Officers discovered two additional heroin-filled baggies in his wallet — same stamp, same deadly signature. A full search of his room turned up more than 300 bags of heroin, over a pound of marijuana, prescription narcotics, a digital scale, and hundreds of empty stamped glassine envelopes, indicating large-scale distribution.

Fisher pleaded guilty on May 2, 2016, to one count of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of heroin. Despite being released on bond initially, he was remanded into federal custody at today’s sentencing hearing by the U.S. Marshals Service. He will serve 30 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.

The case was pursued by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad — a multi-jurisdictional unit including officers from New Haven, Hamden, Greenwich, Shelton, Bristol, Vernon, Wilton, Milford, Monroe, Fairfield, Manchester and the Connecticut State Police — alongside the Norwich Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Avi M. Perry prosecuted the case, underscoring the federal crackdown on dealers whose narcotics result in death or serious injury.