Published on: September 25, 2024, 03:58h.

Last updated on: September 25, 2024, 03:58h.

The individual convicted of selling cocaine tainted with fentanyl, resulting in the death of a 22-year-old at Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut, has been sentenced to eight years in prison.

Jerrard Santiago, 44, of New Haven, Conn., will serve eight years in prison followed by three years of supervised release upon release.

The sentencing was made by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven federal court.

The illicit transaction occurred on May 18, 2021, in a restroom at the casino.

The buyer, Ethan Bherwani, aged 22 at the time, overdosed on the gaming floor and passed away eleven days later.

An investigation was initiated, and on February 3, 2023, undercover agents purchased fentanyl and heroin from Santiago. In the same month, they also bought fentanyl and cocaine from him.

He was arrested the following month. On January 29, Santiago pleaded guilty to two counts each of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of a controlled substance.

In April, Judge Meyer ruled that Santiago knowingly supplied the drugs that led to the victim’s overdose and death, as per Connecticut U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery.

Responsibility on Casino

The deceased man’s father holds the casino employees accountable for the tragedy.

Kamal Bherwani, the father of Ethan Bherwani, stated to The New York Post that the tribal casino staff could have possibly saved his son if they had reacted faster during the May 18, 2021 incident.

While celebrating his college graduation at the casino, Ethan Bherwani collapsed at a blackjack table. Allegedly, no casino employees intervened as he lay motionless on the floor.

It took four and a half minutes for a casino employee to finally check on him. EMTs arrived approximately 11 minutes after the incident was reported, as per the Post.

The medical team attempted CPR but were unable to revive him.

Tragic Outcome

Ethan Bherwani was taken to Hartford Hospital, where he was declared brain dead. He succumbed nine days later.

Investigations revealed that Ethan Bherwani had consumed fentanyl, cocaine, marijuana, and alcohol that night before losing consciousness. It was also disclosed that unidentified casino visitors tried to help him while he was on the floor, but Mohegan Sun employees instructed them to move away, as reported by the Post.

Kamal Bherwani filed a lawsuit against Mohegan Sun, alleging negligence on the part of the casino. The tribal court in Connecticut dismissed the lawsuit, but a new one might be filed in the future.

Casino.org reached out to Mohegan Sun for a statement but did not receive an immediate response.