
A Bridgeport man who supplied heroin to a Seymour overdose victim last summer faces up to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to federal drug dealing charges Wednesday.
Richard “Raw” Estaba, 23, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, heroin at federal court in Bridgeport.
According to a prepared statement from U.S. Attorney John H. Durham, Seymour police and EMS responded to a residence July 9 on a report of a suspected drug overdose.
They found a 29-year-old man in the bathroom of the home. The man was pronounced dead.
After an autopsy, the state’s Chief Medical Examiner “determined that the victim’s death was caused by acute intoxication due to the combined effects of cocaine, etizolam, fentanyl, flubromazolam and heroin,” Durham said.
“Investigators seized the victim’s cellphone, multiple folds of suspected heroin marked with two different brand stamps, and other drugs,” Durham said. “Subsequent cell phone analysis and witness interviews determined that Estaba supplied the heroin consumed by the victim shortly before he was found dead.”
In August, investigators made a “controlled purchase” of 10 wax folds of heroin from Estaba, which were marked with the same “brand stamp” found on some of the heroin at the overdose victim’s home.
Estaba was arrested Sept. 20, at which time he had about 400 folds of heroin on him, along with $1,300 cash, according to Durham.
Estaba’s sentencing is scheduled for April 18, at which time he faces a maximum of 20 years behind bars.
Durham said the case “stems from an ongoing statewide initiative targeting narcotics dealers who distribute heroin, fentanyl or opioids that cause death or serious injury to users.”
The case was investigated by the DEA’s New Haven Task Force as well as Seymour and Shelton police.