Rochester Police with help from K9 ‘Suni,’ charge two with narcotics, traffic, OUI, weapon offenses

“On Wednesday November 02, 2022 at approximately 7:25 p.m., Officer Austin Alves and Officer Richard Heslin conducted a traffic stop of a motor vehicle traveling south on County Rd in the area of King’s Highway. After making contact with the two occupants of the vehicle, it was determined that the operator, Jared SHERMAN of Wareham, was operating on a suspended license.

Additionally, SHERMAN had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. SHERMAN was taken into custody and secured in a marked cruiser. While conducting a motor vehicle inventory, Officer Heslin located a pipe commonly used to smoke narcotics and a clear plastic bag of blue pills, which were later identified as Alprazolam. At that time, the passenger George MORANI of Wareham, was detained and secured in a marked cruiser.

Officers on scene requested a Narcotics K9 for assistance with searching the motor vehicle. Deputy Johnson and K9 Suni from The Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department arrived on scene promptly and were updated on the situation. K9 Suni was able to detect and locate crack cocaine that was hidden under the passenger seat of the motor vehicle. This detection lead officers to locate a second crack pipe and additional narcotics under the front seat of the truck. Officers also located a large knife, a hatchet, and an open container of alcohol in the vehicle. At this time, MORANI was formally placed under arrest.

During the search of the vehicle, an officer with the Rochester Police Department was exposed to narcotics located inside the passenger compartment. The officer was transported to Tobey Hospital by the Rochester Fire Department as a precaution and was released a few hours later in good health.

During the booking process, Officer Delmonte noticed unusual body movements from SHERMAN while he was handcuffed to the booking bench. In a concern for officer safety, Officer Delmonte requested another search of SHERMAN’S person. Officer Delmonte, with the assistance of Officer Smith, Officer Alves, and Lieutenant Kemmett, was able to locate over 7 grams of crack cocaine and four Suboxone tabs hidden underneath his clothing in an attempt to conceal it from officers.

Additionally, six Suboxone tabs were located when conducting an inventory of MORANI’S property. Cash bail was set for Jared SHERMAN at $5,000 and for George MORANI at $500.

Both individuals were transferred to the Plymouth County House of Correction and will be arraigned on the following charges:

Jared SHERMAN:

• Ch. 90-24: Operating Under the Influence of Drugs, 4th Offense
• Ch. 90-23: Operating after Suspension while suspended for OUI
• Ch. 90-24: Open Container of Alcohol
• Ch. 94C-34: Possession of Class B Substance, Subsequent Offense
• Ch. 94C-34: Possession of Class C Substance, Subsequent Offense
• Ch. 269-10: Possession of Dangerous Weapon
• Ch. 90-9: Unregistered Motor Vehicle
• Ch. 90-34J: Uninsured Motor Vehicle

George MORANI:

• Ch. 94C-34: Possession of Class B Substance
• Ch. 94C-34: Possession of Class C Substance

The Rochester Police Department would like to thank The Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department, Deputy Johnson, and K9 Suni for their assistance with this incident.”