Salem man facing drug charges after traffic stop in Waltham

A Salem man is facing drug charges after a traffic stop on Maple Street in Waltham. Scott A. Hooper, 41, of Salem, pleaded not guilty on June 5 to charges of operating under the influence of drugs, possession of a class A drug and failure to stop or yield.

The incident took place at 9:07 a.m. on June 5. According to the police report, a police officer witnessed Hooper run a red light at the intersections of Crescent, Maple and Prospect streets. The officer stopped Hooper, who said he ran the red light because he was unfamiliar with the area. 

The officer reported that Hooper had “pinpoint” pupils, spoke in a monotone voice, repeated himself frequently and asked questions that had already been addressed. The officer reported seeing a rolled-up $1 bill, two other pieces of paper rolled in a similar fashion and an empty bag on Hooper’s passenger seat. 

After searching the car, the officer recovered what he believed to be a pressed pill of fentanyl, as well as a piece of aluminium foil with black streaks and a burnt pill inside. Hooper was then placed under arrest and charged with operating under the influence of drugs, possession of a class A drug and failure to stop or yield. 

Hooper pleaded not guilty to all three charges and was released on personal recognizance by Judge Ellen M. Caulo. He will be required to undergo a substance use evaluation and will need to comply with any treatments recommended based on the results. A pretrial hearing for his case will be held July 2.

Additional court activity

Brittany O’Meara, 36, of Waltham, pleaded not guilty on June 3 to a charge of assault and battery on a disabled person or a person over the age of 60. The charge stemmed from an alleged incident between O’Meara and a woman in her 90s. O’Meara was released on personal recognizance by Caulo and will face a pretrial hearing June 30.

Christapher Flowers, 29, homeless, of Waltham pleaded not guilty on June 3 to a charge of possession with intent to distribute a class B drug following an alleged incident on Main Street. Flowers was released by Caulo on personal recognizance and will face a pretrial hearing July 1.

Irma G. Osores, 37, of Waltham, pleaded not guilty on June 8 to a charge of assault and battery on a disabled person or a person over the age of 60 following an alleged event at a Lyman Street residence. Osores was released on personal recognizance by Caulo. Osores’ next hearing is scheduled for June 11.

Pablo Zepeda Escobar, 20, of Waltham, pleaded not guilty on June 3 to two charges of assault and battery following an alleged incident at a private residence. Zepeda Escobar was released on personal recognizance by Judge Amanda Ward. A pretrial hearing is set for July 28.

Liam Garcia, 18, of Waltham, pleaded not guilty on June 4 to charges of assault and battery on a family or household member, strangulation or suffocation and intimidation of a witness, juror or police or court official. The charges are in relation to an alleged event at a private residence. Garcia, who was also identified by the legal name Rosaura M. Penate Alvarez, was released by Caulo on personal recognizance and will face a pretrial hearing July 28.

Alejandro Lugo, 38, of Waltham, pleaded not guilty on June 5 to a charge of assault and battery on a family or household member. Lugo is being held at Middlesex Jail at the request of the commonwealth due to another pending case. A pretrial hearing for Lugo’s case in Waltham is set for July 2.

Sarabjit Saini, 31, of Waltham, pleaded not guilty on June 8 to two charges of assault and battery on a family or household member. Saini was released on personal recognizance. A pretrial hearing for his case is set for July 28.

All information for this story was gathered from official court documents found at Waltham District Court and case information from masscourts.org.