The Monroe County District Attorney’s Office, Criminal Investigations Division Detective Kim Lippincott has arrested and charged Jessica Walters, 35 and Robert Nochella, 35, both of Stroud Township.
Detectives were requested to respond with a supervisor at Monroe County Children and Youth to the residence located in Stroud Township which is occupied by Walters, Nochella, and their two minor children. The supervisor had concerns that Jessica Walters was using fentanyl in the home around the children.
When detectives arrived they found the house to be in a deplorable condition, and observed Jessica Walters actively withdrawing from fentanyl. After receiving consent to search, detectives, along with assistance from the Stroud Area Regional Police Department, located a large amount of drug paraphernalia, a digital scale, packaging materials and other items indicative of drug use.
Detectives arrested and charged Jessica Walters with endangering the welfare of children, recklessly endangering another person, possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Walter’s was arrested in the evening hours of February 6, 2025 and lodged at MCCF pending arraignment.
Detectives learned that Robert Nochella was not a drug user. Nochella further claimed that he was unaware of any drugs in the home. However, after the arrest of Walters, detectives conducted a search of her cell phone observing multiple text conversations between her and Nochella which indicated that Nochella was not only aware of her drug use, but also supplying her with drugs, and communicating with Walters about the sale and distribution of heroin/fentanyl to others.
Based on this additional evidence, detectives returned to the Stroud Township residence. For the safety of the children, they were removed from the residence and taken into protective custody by Children and Youth Services. Nochella then admitted that after police left the night prior, he drove to Paterson New Jersey to purchase heroin/fentanyl, then returned to his residence. Nochella turned the drugs over to the police.
Nochella stated that because Walter’s habit was so expensive he began driving to Patterson New Jersey to purchase cheaper heroin to support her habit, and also to sell heroin to ‘get ahead’ on finances. Nochella stated that on the night of the 6th he had his neighbor watch the children so that he could go buy drugs. Nochella also stated that one of his customers came to purchase heroin/fentanyl that night and he provided them with 7-8 bags of heroin/fentanyl.
Nochella was arrested and charged for several crimes including endangering the welfare of children, recklessly endangering another person, possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and criminal use of a communication facility.
Both individuals are scheduled to appear for preliminary hearings at MDJ Paul Gasper’s Court at 10am on February 19th, 2025.