Pair arrested for drugs near Bellevue Middle School

A Bellevue man has been arrested and charged with trafficking drugs near Bellevue Middle School and his roommate has been charged with possession of cocaine following an investigation by the Bellevue and Norwalk Police Departments.

Matthew P. James, 36, and Kelly Ann Rupp, of 200 Pimilco Place, Bellevue, are both facing drug charges after a search warrant was executed at the address about 1:30 p.m. Monday afternoon, Bellevue Police Detective Eric Burt said.

The Bellevue Police Department were contacted by the Norwalk Police Department — both are members of the METRICH Enforcement Unit — about a narcotics investigation that department was doing that led them to the two Bellevue residents, Burt said.

“From what their investigation uncovered, we were able to get a search warrant,” Burt said.

In the home, detectives found drugs, drug paraphernalia and money.

James was charged with trafficking within vicinity of a school, a fourth degree felony, felony possession of criminal tools, a fifth degree felony, and a misdemeanor charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.

Rupp was charged with possession of cocaine, a fifth degree felony, and possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia, both misdemeanors.

James may be facing additional charges following the results of lab testing of evidence, Burt said.

Both are in custody in the Huron County Jail, where they are being held without bail pending their video arraignment later today (Tuesday, March 24) in Bellevue Municipal Court.

The pair are roommates, Burt said, and there were no children in the home. Police said additional arrests are expected as a result of this investigation.

Originally published in the Bellevue Gazette on March 24, 2015.