BY TIMOTHY LAROCHE
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NEWPORT — A Springfield, Vt. man accused of aiding in an alleged Claremont drug deal was indicted in Sullivan County Superior Court this week on several drug-related charges.
Johnnie “Malik” Kyles, 34, is charged with subsequent possession with intent to sell more than 5 grams of heroin, subsequent possession with intent to sell fentanyl, two subsequent counts of possession with intent to sell marijuana, subsequent conspiracy to sell marijuana, subsequent conspiracy to sell cocaine, subsequent conspiracy to sell a substance represented as cocaine, sale of marijuana and subsequent possession with intent to sell N-Ethyl-Pentylone.
If convicted, the sale of heroin charge carries potential sentences of up to life in New Hampshire State Prison.
The charges follow the Jan. 31 arrest of Claremont resident Samantha Davis for allegedly dealing large quantities of drugs from her 12 Spofford Street home. According to arrest affidavits, Kyles was allegedly in Davis’ apartment at the time of the alleged drug deals. A woman cooperating with Cornish Police during the investigation said Kyles retrieved drugs from a black backpack during a deal.
The Claremont Police Department issued an arrest warrant for Kyles shortly after Davis’ arrest. Vermont State Police received an anonymous tip just after 9 a.m. on Feb. 6 that Kyles was seen at The Roadway Inn in Bellows Falls, Vt.
Troopers responded, knocking on the door of the room where he was alleged to be staying.
A woman answered the door, telling police that Kyles was not staying there but that he was in the room at the time.
Upon opening the door to allow police to enter, the woman motioned towards a man lying face down on the bed, who police later confirmed that he was Kyles.
He was taken into custody shortly after.
Before Kyles was seated in the cruiser, he was allegedly found to be in possession of an empty plastic bag with marijuana residue, two glass pipes with burnt marijuana residue, rolling papers, a small amount of cash and four cell phones. He was taken to the Westminster Barracks and placed into a holding cell while waiting for Claremont Police detectives to arrive.
Kyles was extradited to New Hampshire following his arraignment in Windham County Superior Court in Brattleboro, Vt., on conspiracy to commit drug sale charges.
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