Six arrested on drug charges

Sheriff's deputies arrested six Sisters residents on drug charges after an unrelated investigation led them to a house on Oak Street where drugs were allegedly found.

According to sheriff's office reports, a deputy was investigating a possible auto theft and accident when he approached the house on April 11.

The deputy reportedly looked through the window in the front door and saw Nicholas Brown, 18, scraping an off-white substance from a baggie onto a mirror. When the deputy knocked on the door, Brown allegedly hid the materials and opened the door.

The deputy entered the house and told Brown what he had seen. Two other people, a young woman and a juvenile male, were also in the room.

The deputy called for back-up. When the back-up deputy arrived, he searched the premises for other people and, according to sheriff's office reports, observed what appeared to him to be controlled substances, including methamphetamine, and drug paraphernalia.

Backpacks belonging to the juvenile male and to Regina Louise Rutigliano, 19, were also searched, allegedly turning up evidence of drugs and paraphernalia.

While this was going on, another resident, Andrew Joseph Grant, 24, arrived. He was reportedly on a cell phone talking to the principal renter, Gerald Dedmon, 30. A deputy spoke to Dedmon, who reportedly refused to allow a further search of his home.

Deputies arrested Brown, Grant, Rutigliano and the juvenile on charges of possession, distribution and manufacture of a controlled substance; conspiracy to distribute, possess and manufacture a controlled substance; and frequenting a place where controlled substances are used.

Deputies obtained a search warrant for the house. The Central Oregon Drug Enforcement Team (CODE), along with deputies from the Sisters station, searched the house, where they allegedly found drug residue, paraphernalia and drug records.

According to sheriff's office reports, Dedmon returned to the residence on April 12, accompanied by Cassandra Kay Post, 19, and another woman.

Deputies arrested Dedmon and Post on charges of conspiracy to manufacture and deliver a controlled substance; possession of a controlled substance; and frequenting a place where controlled substances are used.

The other woman was arrested on a misdemeanor "frequenting" charge.