Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ADELE BOUTHILLIER, 43, of Groton, pleaded guilty today in New Haven federal court to conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of a minor and heroin distribution offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in the early morning hours of May 29, 2016, members of the Groton Police Department and emergency services personnel responded to a Groton motel room on the report of a suspected drug overdose. The victim, a 17-year-old female, was administered two doses of Narcan (Naloxone), which were deemed unsuccessful, before she was transported to the hospital and died later that morning.

The investigation revealed that Ramon Gomez, also known as “B.I.,” brought the victim to the motel to engage in prostitution, and the victim stayed in a room there with BOUTHILLIER. Both Gomez and BOUTHILLIER, who was engaged in prostitution and worked with Gomez, knew that the victim was under the age of 18. On the morning of May 28, 2016, BOUTHILLIER purchased a quantity of heroin from Gomez and gave it to the victim, who snorted it. At approximately 10:00 p.m. that day, BOUTHILLIER awoke to find the victim to be unresponsive with vomit coming out of her mouth. BOUTHILLIER waited approximately four hours before calling 911.

BOUTHILLIER pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of a minor, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of life, and one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

BOUTHILLIER is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford on June 22, 2017. BOUTHILLIER, who was released on bond, was ordered detained at the conclusion of today’s court proceeding.

Gomez pleaded guilty on November 17, 2016, and awaits sentencing. He has been detained since his arrest on June 1, 2016.

The matter stems from an ongoing statewide initiative targeting narcotics dealers who distribute heroin, fentanyl or opioids that cause death or serious injury to users.

The investigation is being conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, the Town of Groton Police Department and the Regional Community Enhancement Task Force. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas P. Morabito.