Drug Bust Across From Macdonough School Playground

From the Middletown Police Department

On September 29, 2010 the Street Crime Unit with the assistance of the Major Investigations Unit and the Patrol Division executed a Search and Seizure Warrant at the residence of 54 Grove St. Apt. 1A. We had received numerous complaints concerning this address from concerned citizens that reside in the area. Neighbors complained that two Hispanic males continuously sell narcotics out of the residence. The residence is across the Street from the MacDonough School playground.

As the detectives entered the residence they discovered ten parties. Three parties barricaded themselves in a bedroom and refused officers entry. After a brief struggle all were taken into custody as numerous narcotic violations were observed. Several of the parties were juveniles: Two were 23 months old, one 13, one 14, one 15, one 16. 

The other parties in the residence were identified as Tamisha Belin 20 years old of 54 Grove St. Apt. 1A, Juan Burkeatte 29 years old of 54 Grove St. Apt. 1A, Axel Nunez 19 years old of 54 Grove St. Apt.1A, and Catherine Then 20 years old of 59 Oak St. 

The male target of our investigation Juan Burkette (AKA as Jay), the second target of our investigation, the 16 year old juvenile, and Belin were taken into custody after they barricaded the bedroom.

Burkette, who at first provided several names to detectives then intentionally misspelled his name, was found to be in possession of Crack Cocaine, Marijuana, Drug Paraphernalia, and a significant amount of US currency.  

The second target of our investigation, the 16 year old juvenile, was found to be in possession of Crack Cocaine, Marijuana and Drug Paraphernalia.

Tamisha Belin was found to be in possession of Crack Cocaine, Marijuana, and Drug Paraphernalia.

 Axel Nunez was found to be in possession of a large amount of Marijuana  he also had an outstanding arrest warrant for Failure to Appear 1^st Degree.

Catherine Then was found to be in possession of Drug Paraphernalia. She was also in violation of a Protective Order between her an Nunez.

Approximately 11 grams of Crack Cocaine and 1.8 ounces of Marijuana was seized from within the residence.

The Department of Children and Families was contacted as the six juveniles were present while numerous narcotic violations were observed. Detectives observed narcotics scattered throughout the residence that were easily accessible to the juveniles.

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Juan Burkette was subsequently arrested for the following charges and held on a  $500,00.00 Bond as he was unable to provide any sort of identification or verification of his identity- Detectives were able to verify that an extraditable warrant for Assault 1^st degree out of New York State exists for Juan Burkette DOB 5/26/82:

Possession  of Crack Cocaine

Possession of Crack Cocaine With Intent to Sell

Possession of Crack Cocaine With Intent to Sell within 1500’ of a School

Possession of less than 4 ounces of Marijuana

Possession of Marijuana With Intent to Sell

Possession of Marijuana With Intent to Sell within 1500’ of a School

Interfering with a Search Warrant

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Risk of Injury to a Minor ( 6 Counts)

The 16 year old juvenile was subsequently arrested for the following charges :

 Possession  of Crack Cocaine

Possession of Crack Cocaine With Intent to Sell

Possession of Crack Cocaine With Intent to Sell within 1500’ of a School

Possession of less than 4 ounces of Marijuana

Possession of Marijuana With Intent to Sell

Possession of Marijuana With Intent to Sell within 1500’ of a School

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Risk of Injury to a Minor ( 5 Counts)

Tamisha Belin was subsequently arrested for the following charges and held on a $200,000.00 Bond:

 Possession  of Crack Cocaine

Possession of Crack Cocaine With Intent to Sell

Possession of Crack Cocaine With Intent to Sell within 1500’ of a School

Possession of less than 4 ounces of Marijuana

Possession of Marijuana With Intent to Sell

Possession of Marijuana With Intent to Sell within 1500’ of a School

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Risk of Injury to a Minor ( 6 Counts)

Axel Nunez was subsequently arrested for the following charges and held on a $200,000.00 Bond and $5,000.00 for Failure to Appear:

Possession of less than 4 ounces of Marijuana

Possession of Marijuana With Intent to Sell

Possession of Marijuana With Intent to Sell within 1500’ of a School

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Risk of Injury to a Minor ( 6 Counts)

Failure to Appear 1^st Degree

Catherine Then was subsequently arrested for the following charges and held on a $25,000.00 Bond and $50,000.00 for the Violation of a Protective Order:

Risk of Injury to a Minor (2 Counts)

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Violation of a Protective Order

Any citizens willing to give information concerning possible illegal activities are encouraged to contact Sgt. Rich Davis of the Street Crime Unit at (860) 344-3259. All information will remain anonymous.