Community Corner

Middletown Police Nab Five During Two Narcotics Stings

Two narcotics stings within a month turned up two city and three Hartford residents were were buying and selling crack cocaine and heroin.

Editor's Note: Middletown Police will be supplying mug shots for these individuals shortly.

Two women and three men are facing narcotics charges after Middletown Police say they interrupted two crack cocaine and heroin deals near the city library and grocery store.

On June 14, according to reports, a "cooperating witness" agreed to help police buy cocaine from a man whom he had bought drugs from in the past. That day, the report says, the man bought 40 bags of heroin and 3.5 grams of cocaine from Rojas while officers watched, although they could not see the dealer.

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On July 11, the witness met Rojas at the Stop & Shop parking lot on East Main Street and bought 3.5 grams of cocaine and 100 bags of heroin. 

Inside the car, the report says, was driver Joanne M. Claudio, 21, of Woodland Street, Hartford; front passenger Stephanie R. Jiminez, 21, of Park Place, Hartford, and rear passenger Reymon Rojas, 28, of Freeman Road, Hartford. 

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The report says officers saw 100 bags of heroin, 28.3 grams of crack and 5.2 grams of marijuana. Claudio had 3.4 grams of marijuana in her bra, the report says, after a police canine found it, and Rojas had a baggie with 5.3 grams in his buttocks.

Jiminez was charged with illegal sale of drugs, distribution of controlled substances less than 1,500 feet from a school, possession less than half-ounce marijuana and possession of narcotics. 

Claudio was arrested for possession with intent to sell, distribution and possession of controlled substances less than 1,500 feet from a school, and possession less than half-ounce marijuana.

Rojas was charged with possession with intent to sell, distribution and possession of controlled substances less than 1,500 feet from a school, and possession less than half-ounce marijuana.

On June 25 at 9:46 p.m., police surveilling the Russell Library saw Donna Dickenson, 59, of Main Street, a known heroin and crack cocaine user, according to the report, walking on Washington Street toward Broad. Police say she often works as a drug runner for dealers. A GMC Envoy driven by Lamar Howard, 51, of Omo Street pulled up, police say, and he handed two bags of heroin to Howard for $20. 

A search of Howard turned up $143 in cash. Dickenson admitted to buying the heroin, the report says. Inside Howard's house, the report says, 10 bundles of 100 baggies of heroin total were discovered.

Howard was charged with sale of illegal drugs, distribution of controlled substances less than 1,500 feet from a school and possession of narcotics. Dickenson was charged with possession of narcotics.

Police reports are obtained directly from the Middletown Police public information officer and inclusion on this list reflect charges filed, not convictions.

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