LOCAL

2 detained after man found hurt in Lincoln

Elizabeth Murray
Free Press Staff Writer
Justin Stone, left, and Corrin Laraway in a February picture posted on Laraway's Facebook page.

A man and woman who federal authorities say were housing a heroin dealer in Bristol were detained following an emotional initial appearance Monday in U.S. District Court in Burlington.

Justin Stone, 24, and Corrin Laraway, 22, of 51 Woodland Drive, Apt. 1, were arrested after that alleged dealer, Cody Toledo, was found injured on the side of Notch Road in Lincoln. Laraway appeared to mouth "I love you" to her parents in court Monday, and parents of both suspects were tearful throughout the hearing.

Family members of both suspects declined comment before the hearing.

Stone and Laraway told authorities they received payment for allowing Toledo, who they referred to as "John," to stay in their apartment and sell heroin, an affidavit filed Monday states.

Both Laraway and Stone also told to FBI authorities that they had driven "John" to Notch Road in Lincoln and left him on the side of the road on Saturday, court documents show.

"What role Stone and Laraway played in the condition of Cody Toledo remains under investigation," FBI Special Agent Christopher Destito wrote in the affidavit. Toledo's exact injuries were not disclosed in the affidavit, but Destito said Toledo was not shot or stabbed.

Stone's lawyer, Elizabeth Quinn, and Laraway's lawyer, Amanda Paulino, did not oppose detention of their clients.

Federal prosecutors argued in a detention motion that both Laraway and Stone pose safety risks to the community as they are heroin users and because investigators found firearms in the suspects' home during a search. Prosecutors also said Laraway and Stone are flight risks.

For Laraway in particular, Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Ross added in her detainment motion, "The role that the defendant played in the condition of a man found on the side of a road in Lincoln remains unclear and may have bearing on detention."

A federal complaint has not been filed against Toledo as of Monday evening. It is unclear whether he will be charged in connection in the case. U.S. Attorney Eric Miller said he could release no information on Toledo on Monday evening.

Prior to Toledo's being located, Vermont State Police received several 911 calls related to the incident. A resident of the same apartment complex called police around 2 a.m. and reported a disturbance and "the sound of fighting" coming from Stone's and Laraway's apartment, Destito's affidavit states.

Responding authorities observed wounds on Stone's face, but Laraway and Stone told police Stone had slipped and fallen in the shower.

"Both Stone and Laraway advised there had been no domestic assault, they both felt safe and there were no issues," Destito wrote.

Shortly before 3 a.m., another 911 caller told police that a friend staying at 51 Woodland Drive had been shot and provided a phone number for the friend. Police then received a call from the injured friend's number, and the caller, who later identified as Toledo, said he had been kidnapped and stabbed, the affidavit states.

State Police troopers also returned to Stone's and Laraway's apartment and saw what they believed was blood soaking the doormat in front of the apartment door.

"Out of concern that an injured person could be within the apartment, they forced entry," Destito wrote. "They found no one inside. But while clearing the residence, they observed baggies and syringe needles, overturned furniture, bloody clothing or towels, firearms and a glass candle jar with blood on it."

Vermont State Police troopers and personnel from the Lincoln Fire Department and Bristol Rescue responded to the Notch Road in Lincoln at around 3:25 a.m. on Saturday, state police have said. Toledo was transported to the the University of Vermont Medical Center for treatment.

Toledo was discharged from the hospital on Sunday, a UVM Medical Center spokeswoman said Monday.

After an alert was issued for Stone and Laraway, Colchester Police saw a car registered to Stone parked near Motel 6 shortly before 6 a.m. Saturday morning. The two suspects were taken into custody after they were found inside the motel, Destito wrote.

A search of the motel room revealed several thousands of dollars in addition to a "golf ball-sized" quantity of heroin., Destito wrote.

The U.S. Attorney's Office said in a statement that the decision to charge Laraway and Stone at the federal level was made in conjunction with Addison County State's Attorney David Fenster.

“My office has prioritized the prosecution of heroin cases involving violence and threats of violence," U.S. Attorney Miller said in an email. "Federal law also provides some charging tools that are unavailable in state court. As this investigation developed over the weekend, State’s Attorney David Fenster and I together decided that this particular case was best prosecuted in federal court.”

Laraway and Stone are due in court for a probable cause hearing on April 4 if an indictment is not returned by a federal grand jury before then. If convicted, both face up to 20 years in prison or $500,000 in fines.

Contact Elizabeth Murray at 651-4835 or emurray@freepressmedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/LizMurraySMC.