Diversion Ordered in Gansett Drug Case

Unless otherwise noted, files at Washington County Superior Court contain the information about the following court cases. You can review them at the McGrath Judicial Complex.

Jack Stefano, 20, of 236 Lawton St., Fall River, MA, pleaded no contest on July 2 to a Narragansett police charge of felony conspiracy to violate the controlled substances act.

Stefano was ordered to complete a diversion program and to pay $450 in assessments. In return for his plea, an additional charge of felony drug possession was dismissed.

Diversion is typically offered to first-time offenders with drug offenses. If Stefano properly completes a program, he would not be subject to probation, or a suspended or imposed jail sentence.

According to Narragansett police reports included in court files, in September 2011 they executed a search warrant for a Pepperbush Trail home.

Police said that a search of the home revealed about 54 pills, ground-up pills, a pair of brass knuckles, two digital scales, a replica handgun, four cell phones and a ledger.

According to police, the warrant was obtained after performing several controlled buys of prescription drugs from Stefano and Andrew Paliotti, 23, of 2 Pepperbush Trail in Narragansett. Police said that Stefano delivered narcotics supplied by Paliotti.

Paliotti is scheduled to appear in Washington County Superior Court on Aug. 28. He is charged with six counts of felony drug distribution.

If we’re missing a case you’re interested in knowing about, feel free to leave a comment or to send Local Editor Stephen Greenwell a message at Stephen.greenwell@patch.com. We typically write up the summaries once a case has been resolved – a dismissal, a plea or a guilty or not guilty finding.

Want to be e-mailed when new police reports are posted? Click the notify button!