Marc H. Silverman, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, has announced the sentencing of Jimmy Lassus, a 40-year-old resident of Wethersfield. Lassus received a sentence of 100 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. This decision was made by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport due to Lassus's involvement in distributing fentanyl and oxycodone to an overdose victim.
The case traces back to October 6, 2023, when Meriden Police responded to a suspected overdose at a residence. They found a 27-year-old woman unresponsive and she was later pronounced dead at the hospital. Investigations revealed that prior to her death, the victim had engaged in drug-related text conversations with Lassus over several months. These exchanges indicated that he provided her with oxycodone and fentanyl, which she consumed before her death. The victim had noted in messages and a journal entry that it was her first time using fentanyl.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner concluded that the cause of death was acute intoxication from fentanyl combined with benzodiazepines, xylazine, and oxycodone.
Lassus has been detained since his arrest on April 11, 2024. He pleaded guilty on September 30, 2024, to charges related to distributing fentanyl and oxycodone.
The investigation involved collaboration between multiple agencies including the Drug Enforcement Administration New Haven Task Force and Meriden Police Department, with support from Wethersfield Police Department. The Task Force comprises members from various law enforcement bodies such as DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, IRS – Criminal Investigation Division, Connecticut State Police along with police departments from New Haven and other nearby cities.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brendan Keefe and Reed Durham prosecuted this case.