Two Waltham residents arrested on charges of cocaine possession, conspiracy to violate drug law

Waltham residents Bernardo Betancourt, 50, and Michelle Courtney, 48, are both facing charges of cocaine trafficking in an amount of 18 grams and less than 36 grams, possession to distribute a class B drug and conspiracy to violate drug law. 

Courtney pleaded not guilty in Waltham District Court on May 11 to the charges. It is unclear from court records how Betancourt pleaded.

The charges stem from an incident on May 10, when at 10:22 p.m. an officer on routine patrol reportedly observed a black Kia Soul that he recognized as being registered to a woman whose license was revoked. After pulling over the vehicle, the officer saw the woman in the passenger seat, Betancourt in the driver’s seat and Courtney in the back seat. 

According to the police report, the officer observed Betancourt hand something to Courtney, which she promptly put in the front of her pants. The officer also observed a glass pipe in a cupholder. The officer then searched the vehicle and located two baggies of what the officer believed to be crack cocaine and a money fold with crack cocaine folded into it. Police also said that officers later searched Courtney and found three baggies of what is believed to be crack cocaine, which were submitted to evidence having been removed from her person.

In total, 24.6 grams of presumed crack cocaine were seized from the scene. According to police records, Betancourt and Courtney both have faced previous drug charges.

The woman who owned the car received citations for having an uninsured motor vehicle and a suspended registration but was not arrested. 

Judge Amanda Ward presided over both Betancourt’s and Courtney’s arraignments. Betancourt is being held on bail at Middlesex County Jail. Courtney was released on personal recognizance. Both will face a probable cause hearing on June 11.

Additional court activity

Jacob M. Ledlow, 30, of Whitinsville, pleaded not guilty on May 11 to charges of negligent operation of a motor vehicle, leaving the scene of property damage, operating a motor vehicle with a revoked license, reckless endangerment of a child, use of a motor vehicle without authority and receiving a stolen motor vehicle. It is unclear from court records whether Ledlow has been released or if he is being held on bail. A hearing to review status on the case will be held May 18.

Nermin Mujezinovic, 44, of Maynard, pleaded not guilty on May 6 to operating under the influence of alcohol, second offense. According to the police report, Mujezinovic was arrested after allegedly falling asleep in his vehicle while parked blocking traffic on Main Street. Police reported smelling alcohol on Mujezinovic’s breath and that he had glassy, bloodshot eyes. Judge Ellen M. Caulo released Mujezinovic on personal recognizance. A pretrial hearing for the case will be held June 29.

Michael Owens, 34, of Newton, pleaded not guilty on May 5 to assault and battery on a household or family member, assault and battery on a pregnant victim and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon on a pregnant victim. According to a police report, the charges stem from an incident that took place in a Waltham apartment. Caulo released Owens on personal recognizance. A pretrial hearing for this case will be held June 4.