‘Dope sick’ man admits heroin use

A Springfield man who officials described as so “dope sick” from heroin withdrawal that it prevented him from leaving jail to go to court for nearly a week finally made it to his arraignment Monday.
http://rutlandherald.com/article/20140918/THISJUSTIN/709189921

‘Dope sick’ man admits heroin use September 18,2014 Email Article Print Article WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — A Springfield man who officials described as so “dope sick” from heroin withdrawal that it prevented him from leaving jail to go to court for nearly a week finally made it to his arraignment Monday. John Preterotti, 34, of Springfield pleaded guilty to possession of heroin and was sentenced to two months in jail, with credit for the week he had already spent behind bars following his arrest Sept. 9. A charge of violating pre-trial release conditions was dismissed as part of Preterotti’s plea agreement. Although Preterotti has now resolved his outstanding cases in Windsor County, he is still facing charges of heroin possession, aiding in the commission of a felony and violating pre-trial release conditions in Windham County. Springfield Police Officer Robert Kelcey said police were dispatched Sept. 9 to Fairgrounds Road for a reported domestic disturbance. Kelcey said when police interviewed adults at the residence they learned that there had been “an intense argument” and threats of violence by Preterotti. Kelcey said that police did spot evidence of considerable heroin use in the form of small empty wax bags floating in the toilet and scattered around the residence, including approximately 120 empty bags in a plastic bag inside a hutch. “John admitted to having taken 100 bags a day of heroin before going to jail. John stated he is down to 10 to 15 bags a day now,” Kelcey wrote. “I understand you weren’t here, when you were originally held, because you were extremely ill,” Judge Karen Carroll noted from the bench during Monday’s sentencing as Preterotti nodded in agreement. “I hope that, going through what you’ve been going through for the last several days, will assist you in making different decisions in the future about the use of substances,” Carroll continued. “Definitely,” Preterotti said.