3 arrested in Middletown drug bust

MIDDLETOWN, Conn. (WTNH) -- Three people were arrested Thursday following a drug bust at a Middletown apartment.

On Thursday, police executed a search and seizure warrant at a home located at 24 Liberty St., 2nd floor. The warrant came after numerous complaints were made from concerned citizens regarding drug activity at the home.

Police received information that the resident of the apartment, 59-year-old Paula Wooten, would let narcotic traffickers from Hartford sell large quantities of crack cocaine to area addicts at the beginning of each month from within the apartment. Police said this had been going on since January of 2012.

It was also learned that crack cocaine users would purchase their crack cocaine and smoke it in the apartment with Wooten.

Upon entering the apartment, police observed 20-year-old Tykwell Walton ("Money"), of 76 White St., Hartford, running through the kitchen towards a bathroom with crack cocaine in his hands to destroy it.

According to police, Walton is on probation for assault and carrying a pistol without a permit after an incident that happened in February 2010 when Walton shot another man.

After a long struggle, Walton was arrested. Police found a large amount of money and a large piece of crack cocaine weighing 3.3 grams on him.

On the counter and floor near where Walton was taken into custody was another 4.6 grams of crack cocaine prepackaged for sale. There was also a razor blade and numerous cellophane bags utilized for packaging narcotics on the counter. As well as numerous pieces of torn paper with Walton's nickname "Money" and his phone number inscribed on it that he would hand to area addicts for future sales.

Police found 49-year-old Reginald Gaunichaux, of 139 Church St., Middletown, in the living room area. Gaunichaux was combative and refused to open his mouth so that police could ensure he wasn't swallowing narcotics.

Crack cocaine smoking paraphernalia was located in the living room with a piece of crack cocaine.

Police said Gaunichaux refused to identify himself. After searching him, police found a gold-colored badge indicating he was a "National Private Detective" with an identification card indicating the same with his picture taped to it. Gaunichaux told police he was a "common person" and did not fall under Connecticut's jurisdiction.

According to police, Gaunichaux's phone had "Money's" phone number as being recently called, indicating he was there to purchase crack cocaine.

Gaunichaux also refused to be fingerprinted and fought with officers in the booking area.

Wooten was found in the rear bedroom of the apartment. She was also taken into custody after police had to pry crack cocaine smoking pipes and filtering media from her hands.

Walton was charged with possession of crack cocaine, possession of crack cocaine with intent to sell, possession of crack cocaine with intent to sell within 1500' of a school, possession of drug paraphernalia in a school zone, interfering with the execution of a search warrant, and operating a drug factory.

Walton is being held on a $300,000 bond.

Wooten was charged with conspiracy to sell crack cocaine, interfering with execution of a search warrant, and possession of drug paraphernalia in a school zone.

She was released on a $10,000 bond.

Gaunichaux was arrested for possession of crack cocaine, possession of crack cocaine within 1,500' of a school zone, interfering with the execution of a search warrant, possession of drug paraphernalia in a school zone, and failure to submit to fingerprints.

Gaunichaux is being held on a 5,000 bond.