Second suspect charged in nearfatal overdose

GREENWICH — A second suspect has been arrested and charged with allegedly providing drugs that nearly took the life of a local woman in the west end of town in June, police said.

Donnie James, 43, of Catherine Street, Bridgeport, was booked in Greenwich on Monday on charges of seconddegree assault, sale of narcotics and conspiracy to commit assault. Bail was set at $100,000.

Earlier this month, Greenwich police charged Ryan Ramsey, 33, of Gregory Boulevard, Norwalk, in connection with the nearfatal overdose on June 15.

“Greenwich police officers were dispatched to a private residence on Josephine Evaristo Avenue on a report of an unresponsive female. Upon arrival, officers located the unconscious patient in a bathtub and began lifesaving efforts,” police said in a statement.

“They quickly administered a dose of naloxone, and then a second one, before seeing a positive response from the patient. Medics from GEMS arrived on scene, took over care and then transported the patient to the hospital. She eventually recovered and was released from the hospital,” the statement said.

Greenwich investigators followed up on the overdose, and arrest warrants were obtained for the two suspects with the assistance of the Stamford state’s attorney’s office.

James has a previous rap sheet involving narcotics, according to court records. He was already in jail when he was booked this week on the charges from Greenwich police.

He faced a felony narcoticspossession charge in Waterbury in 2013, and was also cited for a misdemeanor in New Haven involving marijuana in 2015. He is also facing a drug charge in Norwalk from earlier this year.

“Greenwich Police continue to focus special attention on those who sell or distribute illegal drugs within our community,” Capt. Robert Berry said in a statement. “We urge individuals, or the families of individuals, suffering from drug addiction to seek help. Resources for assistance are available at www.thehubct.org.”