Four arrested in drug investigation

MONROE — On Thursday Oct. 15, Monroe Police and the Orange County Sheriffs Office Narcotics Unit arrested two area people on multiple counts of criminal sale and criminal possession of controlled substances following a nearly two-month investigation. Mathew G Colonna, 23, of Barnes Road in the Town of Blooming Grove was charged with four counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance, four counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, and four counts of criminal diversion of prescription medication. On four occasions over the last several weeks Colonna sold the prescription medication Oxycontin to an undercover police officer in and around the Monroe area. At this time we are looking into how he obtained the medication, whether lawfully or unlawfully, in conjunction with the New York State Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement. Also charged was 23-year-old Juliana Bauman of Oxford Lane in the Village of Harriman. She was charged with four counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance, five counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, three counts of criminal possession of a hypodermic instrument, and unlawful possession of marihuana. On four occasions over the last several weeks Bauman sold the narcotic drug Heroin to an undercover police officer in and around the Monroe area. At the time of her arrest on Oct. 15, officers recovered 65 bags of heroin which has a street value of approximately $650 and seized just under $2,000 in cash. Also arrested were 22-year-old Pawel Szpunar, of Monroe and 22-year-old Derrick Hanna, of Warwick. Each of these two men were charged with Loitering in the first degree for being with Bauman as she conducted her business in an area strip mall. Loitering in the first degree is a class “B” Misdemeanor. Colonna and Bauman were each arraigned before Monroe Justice Lezak and remanded to Orange County Jail in lieu of $25,000 cash bail, Hanna was remanded to Orange County Jail on $250 cash bail and Szpunar was released with a future court date in Monroe Village Court. Monroe Police encourage residents to report drug sales activity to their confidential TIPS line at 492-TIPS. All calls and information received about drug sales activity, or any criminal activity, will remain anonymous.