Suspected meth dealer arrested in Norwalk

A suspected methamphetamine dealer who had been staying in Norwalk was one of three suspects who were arrested Friday morning.

The Norwalk Police Department, which is a member of the METRICH Drug Task Force, with the assistance of Perkins Township officers, used a search warrant at 293 W. Main St., Apt. 2.

“We received information through various sources and during the investigation, we learned Matthew Alley was a person who was trafficking in drugs,” Detective Sgt. Seth Fry said. “He was staying there … a month, maybe longer.”

Alley, 41, of Clyde, was arrested on three Erie County warrants and charged with trafficking in meth, possession of meth and tampering with evidence. Fry said the suspect likely will face similar, local charges. The detective plans to present Alley’s case to a Huron County grand jury once he receives lab results.

Fry said police arrested Alley and two other people without incident Friday. Janelle R. Tillotson, 32, of 204 Bell Ave., Bellevue, was arrested on undisclosed Erie County warrants and Richard K. Sanger, 29, of 293 W. Main St., Apt. 2, was charged with permitting drug abuse.

“That means he allowed felony drug transactions to happen at his residence,” Fry said.

About four months ago, the detective said he learned Alley moved from the Bellevue area to Norwalk and within the last month, police determined where he was staying and were able to coordinate controlled drug buys with him.

“Perkins P.D. had a case on him,” Fry added.

About 1:30 a.m. May, Perkins police initiated a traffic stop in the 3000 block of Milan Road after the driver reportedly made an improper lane change. The police report indicates Alley was a passenger.

Alley was accused of trafficking meth between Bellevue and Norwalk and detectives from Perkins and Sandusky traveled to the Milan Road traffic stop. Rotuno also said detectives learned Alley reportedly swallowed

five to 10 grams of meth and noticed he began to show signs of an overdose.

Police have said they found suspected meth inside the car and a plastic baggie which they believe contained the drugs Alley possibly swallowed. The Perkins Township Fire Department transported Alley to the hospital, where he was admitted and later discharged.

As of late May, police were seeking Alley’s whereabouts on the three warrants.

“We would like to extend our thanks to Perkins P.D. in helping execute the (search) warrant,” Fry said.

Originally published in the Norwalk Reflector on July 20, 2018.

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