Dennis Sica, Heroin and Fentanyl Trafficking, New York 2014
Heroin and Fentanyl Trafficking Leads to Death of Three Young People
A White Plains federal court has seen a guilty plea from Dennis Sica, a Dutchess County man who worked with others to sell a potent form of heroin stamped with the brand name 'Breaking Bad.'
The use of the heroin, which was laced with fentanyl, resulted in the deaths of three individuals: Anthony Delello, Laura Brown, and Thomas Miller. According to the indictment, Sica sold the heroin to Delello on December 28, 2013, and a medical examiner's report concluded that he died from 'acute heroin intoxication.'
Delello's death did not stop Sica from selling the heroin, as he continued to distribute it to others. Four days after Delello was found dead, Sica exchanged a series of text messages with a co-conspirator in which he urged the co-conspirator to delete the text message history in the phone they used to sell heroin.
The same month, two more individuals died after overdosing on 'Breaking Bad' heroin. On February 1, 2014, Thomas Miller, 31, was found dead by his mother at his home in Pawling, New York. A hypodermic needle, as well as several glassine bags stamped with the words 'Breaking Bad,' were found near his body.
The medical examiner's report indicates that Miller died of 'acute intoxication by the combined effects of heroin and fentanyl.'
Sica, 37, of Hopewell Junction, New York, pled guilty to one count of participating in a conspiracy to distribute heroin and fentanyl. He faces significant penalties for his crimes.
U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara stated: 'With today's guilty plea, Dennis Sica formally acknowledged his role in causing the deaths of three young people. The outcome of this prosecution may do little to console the family members who lost their loved ones to the scourge of heroin and Sica's willingness to exploit their addictions for personal gain.'
Sica's guilty plea comes after he was arrested by state authorities on February 2, 2014, and was transferred to federal custody on June 19, 2014. He will face significant penalties for his crimes.
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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