NEWPORT, Vt. (AP) - A man accused of driving the getaway car in a shooting and alleged hostage-taking in Newport City last week that a judge called “straight out of the movies” is now facing drug charges.
Wilfredo Cerpa, 23, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to possessing 70 milligrams or more of fentanyl with intent to sell it, the Caledonian Record reported. He’s also charged with being an accessory after the fact to restraining people during a home invasion and robbery, and in the shooting.
Cerpa is one of five men from Hartford, Connecticut, involved in the Nov. 30 dispute in which four men decided to steal money and drugs from a fifth man, police said.
Police were still searching for another man wanted on a charge of attempted second-degree murder for allegedly shooting Donta “Pops” Flowers Sr., 44, in the leg. Flowers was hospitalized in stable condition at University of Vermont Medical Center.
Cerpa was released on $100,000 bail. His lawyer, Amy Davis, said by email that the allegations in the case are serious, but are only allegations at this time.
“As with any defendant in a criminal case, he is presumed innocent of these charges and I look forward to working with him during his case,” she wrote.
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