Andy Close
WARREN, Pa. – A Warren man is facing felony charges for his alleged involvement in a drug overdose death.
Christian Papalia, 19, of 208 Walnut St. was charged early Friday morning with one count each of drug delivery resulting in death and manufacture, delivery or possession with intent to deliver. Drug delivery resulting in death, a first-degree felony, carries a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, City of Warren police officers were dispatched to 519 Buchanan St. at approximately 4:08 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 8. Upon arrival, officers were directed to an upstairs bedroom, where they found a male victim lying on his back, deceased.
Controlled substances and drug paraphernalia were observed in plain view near the victim. The controlled substance observed was consistent with fentanyl.
Through interviews conducted with individuals associated with the victim, officers obtained the names of two potential suspects.
At approximately 10:21 p.m., one of the suspects, identified as Papalia, was interviewed. In the interview, Papalia admitted to distributing two pills with an “M” imprint on them to the victim. The pills described by Papalia were consistent with those found next to the victim, the affidavit states.
Police obtained a search warrant for Papalia’s residence, which yielded multiple items of paraphernalia used for ingesting and inhaling illegal controlled substances.
Papalia was arraigned Friday morning before District Judge Raymond Zydonik, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for Dec. 20 at 10 a.m. Unable to post the $250,000 bail, Papalia was remanded to the Warren County Jail.
