BELL TWP., Pa. (EYT) – A parole agent’s home visit led to felony drug charges for two local residents.
Court documents indicate the Jefferson County District Attorney filed criminal charges against 36-year-old Francis Dominic (Nick) Catalano II, and 29-year-old Kayla Marie Swatsworth, both of Punxsutawney.
According to a criminal complaint, officers had been conducting an investigation into ongoing illicit drug activity in Punxsutawney for over six weeks. In late January to early February, while conducting surveillance, officers observed “Nick” Catalano on Cypress Street engaging in what appeared to be an exchange indicative of a drug transaction with a female outside of an apartment complex.
A trash pull led to the discovery of a notable amount of empty stamp bags of heroin as well as used syringes. Several receipts, two that included partial EBT numbers, were discovered linking Kayla Swatsworth (pictured below) and Catalano to the refuse. A vehicle service repair sheet in the trash was observed to have Swatsworth’s name on it, as well as a Cloe Church Street address.
In the following weeks, the officers received information that Catalano moved out of his Cypress Street residence and moved in with Swatsworth on Cloe Church Street. One of the officers informed a state parole agent of the investigation. The State Parole Agent reported that she intended to conduct a home visit at the residence and obtain a urine sample and would contact the officers with any findings.
On Saturday, March 17, one of the officers received a call from the state parole agent reporting the discovery of multiple empty stamp bags in the undergarment drawer of Swatsworth. The officer went to the residence and observed a white Cadillac, with insurance in both Swatsworth and Catalano’s names, in which the state parole agent discovered a large amount of empty heroin bags.
The officer entered the residence with the State Parole Agent.
According to the complaint, both Swatsworth and Catalano admitted to using heroin prior to the arrival of the officer and agent. The agent then told Catalano that if there was any other illegal items in the house, this was the time to produce them. Catalano then asked to speak to the officer.
The complaint states that Catalano told the officer there were more items in the residence and that he wanted to “be clean and stop living this way.” Catalano told the officer he does not want to be an addict.
According to the complaint, Catalano then escorted the officer into the room of an eleven-year-old juvenile who was observed sitting in a recliner playing a video game. Catalano asked the child to leave, then reached into the recliner via an opening in the rear, and retrieved a brown box. The box contained multiple bags of heroin and other paraphernalia, including syringes.
Catalano then took the officer into a room that appeared to be used as a nursery for an infant. Within approximately two feet of the infant’s crib, Catalano retrieved a notable amount of heroin, wrapped in bundles, $60.00 cash, and other paraphernalia.
The heroin that was seized and the officer indicated that the way it was packaged coupled with the money accompanying it is indicative of heroin packaged for sale, according to the complaint.
Catalano also provided the officer a voluntary written statement. In summary, Catalano reported that parole agents came to search the house and found empty stamp bags in a dresser drawer and the trunk of his Cadillac. Catalano stated he spoke to an officer privately and admitted he was hiding things, then gave the officer all of the paraphernalia and drugs. Catalano also stated it was “time to man up to his mistakes and clean up his act.”
Swatsworth also provided a voluntary written statement. In summary, Swatsworth reported that her parole agent came and searched her house and found empty stamp bags of heroin in her dresser drawer. She stated that it was “old stuff” she had from over a week ago and had forgotten about.
The officer departed a short time later with the narcotics, paraphernalia, and written statements. Both Swatsworth and Catalano were informed that they would be contacted at a later time regarding the incident and charges.
As a result of this incident, the officer seized approximately 167 empty stamp bags of heroin, 17 bundles of heroin, a multitude of paraphernalia, and $60.00 cash.
Catalano was arraigned at 5:15 p.m. on Tuesday, April 17, in Magisterial District Judge Jacqueline J. Mizerock’s office on the following charges:
– Manufacture, Delivery, or Possession With Intent to Manufacture or Deliver, Felony
– Intentional Possession Controlled Substance By Person Not Registered, Misdemeanor
– Use/Possession Of Drug Paraphernalia, Misdemeanor
– Endangering Welfare of Children – Parent/Guardian/Other Commits Offense, Misdemeanor 1
Unable to post $10,000.00 cash bail, he was lodged in the Jefferson County Jail.
Swatsworth was arraigned at 2:55 p.m. on Wednesday, April 18, in Judge Mizerock’s office on the following charges:
– Manufacture, Delivery, or Possession With Intent to Manufacture or Deliver, Felony
– Intentional Possession Controlled Substance By Person Not Registered, Misdemeanor
– Use/Possession Of Drug Paraphernalia, Misdemeanor
– Endangering Welfare of Children – Parent/Guardian/Other Commits Offense, Misdemeanor 1
Unable to post $10,000.00 Swatsworth was lodged in the Jefferson County Jail.
Both individuals are facing preliminary hearings on Tuesday, April 24, at 1:45 p.m. with Judge Mizerock presiding.
Swatsworth has a criminal history dating back to 2011 that includes drug-related offenses, forgery, receiving stolen property, disorderly conduct, and accident involving attending vehicle/property under the name of Kayla Weaver.
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