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Teen charged with drug delivery resulting in death

A Warren man is in jail after he allegedly provided the drugs that killed another man.

Christian L. Papalia, 19, is charged with drug delivery resulting in death and possession with intent to deliver.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, police went to Warren address at 4:08 p.m. Thursday, for a reported cardiac arrest. When they arrived, they saw a man lying dead on his bed.

“Controlled substances and drug paraphernalia were observed in plain view near the victim,” according to the affidavit. “Specifically, the controlled substance that was observed is consistent with Fentanyl.”

Through interviews, “officers obtained the names of two potential suspects,” police said in the affidavit. “One of the suspects… Christian Papalia… admitted to distributing two blue pills with an ‘M’ imprint on it to the victim.”

“The pills described by the defendant are consistent with those found next to the victim,” police said.

“Fentanyl is in Warren County and being sold to our kids and young adults,” District Attorney Rob Greene said Friday. “It comes in many forms and is often found laced in other drugs. This is causing death to knowing and unsuspecting users at alarming rates around the United States and our small community is not immune.”

“Let me be clear to drug dealers — if you sell fentanyl or other hard drugs in Warren County, we will come after you aggressively with the full force of the law,” Greene said.

Papalia was arraigned Friday before District Judge Raymond Zydonik and taken to Warren County Jail after failing to post $250,000 bail.

A preliminary hearing is set for 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 20.

Starting at $3.50/week.

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