For the past month, Detectives assigned to the WEB Major Crimes and Drug Task Force have been investigating a male party who has been allegedly distributing Fentanyl and Cocaine in and around the Bridgewater’s and Whitman. During this investigation it was determined that this male suspect would deliver narcotics to customers utilizing various females who would drive him to and from these suspected deliveries of narcotics. It has been a growing concern for investigators in the region with the pairing of Cocaine and Fentanyl, both a Class B substance under Mass General Laws.
During this investigation, case officers Sean Devilly (West Bridgewater PD), Paul Young and Peter Aitken (Whitman PD), identified Samuel Rutledge, 28 years of age, of 50 Center Street Brockton Massachusetts as the Fentanyl supplier to various customers in this region.
On July 20, 2017, Investigators assigned to the WEB Task force observed Mr. Rutledge engage in what was believed to be a narcotics transaction within the town of Whitman. Detectives stopped Mr. Rutledge as well as a female operator who was driving Mr. Rutledge to the narcotics transaction. Mr. Rutledge was found to be in possession of suspected Fentanyl and Crack Cocaine which was packaged for resale.
The two were taken into custody, placed under arrest and transported to the Whitman Police Department without incident. Mr. Rutledge is being charged with three counts of Distribution of Fentanyl Class B Substance, Trafficking in Fentanyl, and possession with the intent to distribute Crack Cocaine a Class B substance. The female operator, identified as Christina Justiniano, 31 of 126 Nicholson Drive. Brockton Massachusetts is being charged with Conspiracy to Violate Controlled substance act.
The pairing of Crack Cocaine and Fentanyl is problematic for investigators and health care workers as there has been a noticeable increase in Overdoses due to the coupling of these two narcotics. Investigators and Health Care experts have noticed that traditional cocaine users are overdosing and on what they believe to be Fentanyl instead of cocaine.
Arrested for the following offenses were:
- Samuel Rutledge, age 28, 50 Center Street Brockton
Trafficking in a Class B Substance,
Distribution of a Class B Substance (3 counts)
Possession with intent to distribute a Class B Substance (Crack Cocaine)
- Christina Justiniano, age 31, 126 Nicholson Drive. Brockton Massachusetts
Conspiracy to Violate the Controlled Substance Act
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of Law.