Several charged in attempted cell phone drug sales

BY STACI WILSON

A Montrose man is accused of using his cell phone to arrange the sale of marijuana and pills, according to an affidavit filed last week in Montrose District Court.

Michael Vaccaro, 20, faces 14 felony counts of criminal use of a communication facility. He is being held in the Susquehanna County Correctional Facility on a probation/parole violation.

In addition to Vaccaro, charges were also brought against several others who had attempted to arrange to purchase controlled substances from him over text messages.

According to the affidavit, Susquehanna County detectives had received a tip that Vaccaro had been dealing marijuana, heroin and “pills.”

Vaccaro admitted to his probation officer that he had used cocaine, and according to the affidavit, the officer took possession of the suspect’s cell phone while Vaccaro was being transported to the county jail.

According to the affidavit, incoming text messages relating to controlled substances were received while the phone was in the officer’s possession.

County detectives obtained a search warrant and seized the phone. According to the affidavit, multiple conversations were found involving orders for drugs were found on the phone from various people.

Others facing a single charge of criminal use of a communication facility include: John Cron, 22, Meshoppen; Travis Kellogg, 22, Montrose; Riley Fekette, 19, New Milford; Joseph Sutton, 23, New Milford; and Alicia Belch, 19, Thompson.

According to the affidavit, Vaccaro and the others charged exchanged text messages attempting sell and purchase cocaine, marijuana and Roxicodone – an instant release form of Oxycodone.

A preliminary hearing for Vaccaro has been set for Sept. 22 in Montrose District Court.

Hearings for the others facing charges were set for Sept. 29.