Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that JOHN VIBBERT, 37, of Fairfield, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty yesterday in Hartford federal court to one count of distribution of heroin and fentanyl.
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, in the early hours of May 31, 2016, Connecticut State Police and emergency medical personnel responded to a residence in Deep River and found an unresponsive 35-year-old male. Although CPR was performed and Narcan was administered, the man was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The investigation, which has included analysis of the victim’s cellphone and a witness interview, revealed that, on May 30, 2016, the victim contacted VIBBERT to purchase heroin. The victim then drove to a restaurant near I-95 in Bridgeport where he met VIBBERT to complete the purchase.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has determined that the cause of death to be “acute heroin and fentanyl toxicities.”
VIBBERT was arrested on a criminal complaint on March 27, 2017.
VIBBERT is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson on November 15, 2017, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. He is released on a $50,000 bond.
This matter has been investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Connecticut State Police, with the assistance of the Monroe Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael E. Runowicz.