New Haven Independent

After the drug purchases, detectives obtained a search warrant for the residence of Eric Bennett, 43 and his son Jason Kline, 20. They live at 80-B Church Street, within 1500 feet of the Sliney school, a nearby town recreation center and a ballfield. Bennett owns the multi-family house whose backyard faces the school.

At the time of his arrest, Kline (pictured left) was on probation in connection with a second-degree felony assault last year, court records show. Although he was sentenced to five years in prison, the sentence was suspended and he was placed on three years probation. He violated the probation last year, according to court records. Nonetheless he was still free.

A search of Kline’s second-floor bedroom yielded marijuana, scales with marijuana residue and packaging material, police said. Also located within Kline’s bedroom, according to police, was a laptop computer that was determined to have been stolen in a residential burglary in Branford last year.
A search of Bennett’s third floor bedroom yielded OxyContin pills, marijuana, a small amount of powder cocaine, digital scales with cocaine residue, drug paraphernalia and packaging material, police said.

Chief John DeCarlo said that detectives are committed to improving the quality of life in the immediate area of the elementary school and the town’s Recreation Center.

Bennett (pictured left) was charged with possession of narcotics, including marijuana, all within 1500 feet of a school, operating a drug factory and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Kline was also charged with operating a drug factory, possession of marijuana within 1500 feet of a school, possession of drug paraphernalia and the theft of the laptop. Both men were each held in $5,000 bond.

Lt. Geoff Morgan said Branford detectives requested the assistance of the Connecticut State Police K-9 unit which has dogs specifically trained in the detection of drugs and other narcotics.

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