NOVEMBER 16, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Charlestown
Man
Arrested after Woman’s Death:
Richard
A. Myers, Jr., 27, of
Charlestown
, was arrested and charged last Monday with
Possession and Dealing in a Controlled Substance by Charlestown Police.
During the investigation into the death of 53-year-old Sandra Campbell,
Charlestown Officer John Hartman learned that on November 6th
Campbell
had purchased and consumed methadone from Myers
at his residence just minutes before returning home and experiencing respiratory
and cardiac distress.
Campbell
slipped into a coma and passed away as a result
of a drug overdose on November 8th.
Myers was arrested by Officer Hartman after Charlestown Police, including
it’s K9 division, served a search warrant at his
Charlestown
residence revealing evidence that supported his
Felony possession and dealing charges. The
search warrant also resulting in the seizure of a large quantity of drug
paraphernalia, as well as evidence of long-term abusive use of narcotics within
the residence. Methadone is a
narcotic pain reliever, similar to morphine.
Methadone also reduces withdrawal symptoms in people addicted to heroin
or other narcotic drugs without causing the “high” associated with the drug
addiction. Methadone is normally
used as part of a drug addiction detoxification and maintenance program.
Since Campbell’s death was the direct result of a controlled substance
purchased illegally from Myers, the prosecutor’s office is also considering
reckless homicide charges against Myers. The
Charlestown Police Department urges anyone having information regarding illegal
drug trafficking or activity in Charlestown, including the growing abuse and
dealing of prescription medications, to report it to the department immediately
for investigation. Anonymous
information or tips are welcome either by telephone or via the Department’s
On-line Crime Reporting page of their web site at www.ctownpd.com.