A Rindge man is back in jail after violating his bail conditions by allegedly possessing heroin and marijuana, police said.
James L. Stratton, 69, was arrested by the Jaffrey police Thursday on two charges of possession of controlled/narcotics drugs and a charge of default or breach of bail conditions. Police Chief Bill Oswalt said that Stratton refused the services of a bail commissioner and was brought to the House of Corrections.
“If he didn’t refuse the bail commissioner’s services, he would have likely been held on a high cash bail and brought to the House of Corrections anyway,” said Oswalt. “I think he recognized that, which likely factored into his decision.”
Stratton will appear in the Cheshire County Superior Court on June 8 for a dispositional conference.
Oswalt said Stratton was living in Jaffrey at his father’s house as a result of his bail conditions resulting from crimes he allegedly committed in Rindge.
Stratton was previously arrested by Rindge police on Dec. 6, after he allegedly threatening to kill two women in his home. Police said the two women were his family members.
In Rindge, Stratton is facing a charge of felon in possession of a dangerous weapon, two charges of domestic violence: fear of bodily injuries, a charge of contempt, and two charges of domestic violence: simple assault.
Stratton was originally held in lieu of $75,000 cash bail, but has since been released on $1,000 personal recognizance.
Stratton is scheduled to appear at the Cheshire Superior Court on June 1 for a dispositional conference on the Rindge charges. Stratton’s attorney, Public Defender Meredith Lugo, filed an Entry of Not Guilty Plea and Waiver of Arraignment on April 7
Nicholas Handy can be reached at 924-7172 ext. 235.