
Terrance Saunders, a 33-year-old Waterbury resident, was sentenced to six years in federal prison Friday for selling heroin that prosecutors said led the death of a 45-year-old woman in Shelton.
Police and medical crews responded to a suspected overdose in Shelton on March 23, 2016. An investigation later showed the woman died of “acute heroin intoxication.”
The victim’s name was not released.
Police said they found heroin at the scene, along with the woman’s cell phone. The cell phone contained a series of text messages the woman sent to Saunders the day before died, attempting to get drugs, according to a prepared statement from the government.
Using Saunders phone as a point of contact, police launched an investigation and made a series of clandestine purchases of heroin and fentanyl from Saunders and his “associate,” Rashad Johnson, who is now serving 18 months in prison.
Saunders was arrested Dec. 27, 2018 and, on June 24, pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of heroin.
In a sentencing memo, Saunders’ lawyer suggested he be sent to prison for 48 months.
Prosecutors noted Saunders had previously been convicted, and served time in jail,for dealing drugs in 2012. In fact, Saunders was on probation when he was charged federally.
“In short, the defendant does not appear to have learned from his prior involvement with the criminal justice system,” prosecutors wrote in a sentencing memo.
U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant also sentenced Saunders to three years of supervised release following his prison term. The precise prison term was 79 months.
Saunders’ sentencing was announced in a prepared statement Friday by John H. Durham, U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas P. Morabito.
This investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Task Force, along with the Shelton, Ansonia and Monroe Police Departments.
An Ansonia police officer wrote the 25-page affidavit that was used to secure a warrant for Saunders’ arrest. The investigation also included assistance from law enforcement in Waterbury and Putnam County, N.Y.