Plainfield man pleads guilty to drug charges in woman's overdose death
Ryan Blessing
rblessing@norwichbulletin.com
A Plainfield man pleaded guilty to federal drug charges Wednesday stemming from the Aug. 31, 2016, overdose death of a 38-year-old woman in a Plainfield hotel.
George Kinney, 34, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to one count of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of heroin and fentanyl.
The case is part of an ongoing statewide initiative targeting drug dealers who distribute heroin, fentanyl or opioids that cause death or serious injury to users, the office of U.S. District Attorney Deidre M. Daly said.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on Aug. 31, 2016, Plainfield police responded to a report of an untimely death of a 38-year-old female at a hotel in Plainfield.
At the scene, officers seized drug and non-drug evidence, including bags that appeared to have contained heroin or fentanyl that were found in a bathroom garbage can. The investigation revealed that Kinney had given the drugs to the victim and her boyfriend shortly before the woman's death.
Police arrested Kinney on May 9. At the time of his arrest, Kinney was in possession of 40 bags of heroin, most of which had identical labeling to the bags found at the hotel, police said. Forensic analysis of the bags revealed the presence of heroin and fentanyl.
Bolden scheduled sentencing for Jan. 10. Kinney, who is in prison, faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.
This matter has been investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration's New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad and the Plainfield Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Pierpont, Jr.