3 Indicted In 3-Pound Fentanyl, Cocaine Bust: Stoughton Police

STOUGHTON, MA — Three people were indicted Wednesday after a reported home break-in last May led to officers seizing nearly three pounds of fentanyl and cocaine, according to prosecutors. Michael Cavanaugh, 22, of Randolph, and Richard Direnzo, 46, of Stoughton, were charged with two counts of possession of a firearm in commission of a felony, improper storage of a firearm, two counts of possession of a large-capacity firearm and trafficking in more than 200 grams of cocaine. Cavanaugh was also charged with possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute, while Katelyn Nadeau, 32, of Holbrook, was charged with trafficking more than 200 grams of cocaine and possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute.

Just before 11 a.m., May 29, Stoughton police were called to a house on Pearl Street for a report of someone breaking into an apartment through a basement window. When police arrived, they said they saw a man who fit the caller's description walk out the back door. He was arrested and later identified as Michael Cavanaugh, 22, of Randolph. Police said they learned there was another person inside the apartment and found Katelyn Nadeau, 32, of Holbrook.

While looking for suspects, officers found a large amount of white powder and drug paraphernalia on a table, police said. Police came back in the afternoon with a search warrant and said they found 600 grams of fentanyl, about 700 grams of cocaine, and a handgun with ammunition. The amount of fentanyl seized was enough to kill over 300,000 people, according to the U.S. Attorney's office.

Police then arrested the two apartment tenants, Direnzo and Patricia McCormack, 42. McCormack was charged in Stoughton District Court with trafficking cocaine, trafficking fentanyl, conspiracy to violate drug laws, possession of a firearm without a license, possession of a large capacity feeding device, and improper storage of a firearm, but was not indicted on the charges.

The indictments transfer the cases of Cavanaugh, Direnzo, and Nadeau from Stoughton District Court to Norfolk County Superior Court. This means if the defendants are convicted, they could potentially face longer sentences.