Teen admits to felony, remains free until next court hearing

A Willard teenager pleaded guilty Tuesday to possessing cocaine during a drug bust at his home.

Seferino J.M. “Bobby” Maltos Jr., 19, of 215 Spring St., will be sentenced Oct. 21 for the fifth-degree felony, which is punishable by six to 12 months behind bars.

The Willard Police Department and METRICH Enforcement Unit have said their officers seized a large amount of cocaine, some cash, several firearms, drug paraphernalia and "items believed to be used for growing marijuana" during the Jan. 4 incident at the defendant's home. METRICH is a 10-county drug task force.

"One of the recovered guns was found to have been stolen from the village of Greenwich," Chief Mark Holden said soon after Maltos was arrested.

As part of Tuesday’s plea deal, prosecutors dismissed one count each of receiving stolen property and possession of criminal tools.

Maltos earlier posted a $20,000 bond. He is subject to random drug screens.

In an arraignment Wednesday, Mansfield resident Sonny C. Swiney, 45, entered “not guilty” pleas to two counts of trafficking in heroin. The Willard Police Department coordinated the controlled drug buys.

Huron County Public Defender David Longo said he suspects Swiney was working with someone else.

Swiney has a burglary conviction from 1988.

“I just had turned 18,” he told Huron County Common Pleas Judge Jim Conway.

Swiney must post a $5,000 bond before being released from the Huron County Jail. His trial date is Dec. 3.

Originally published in the Norwalk Reflector