Commonweath of Massachusetts v. Daryn M. Sampson and Gilka Rolon-Arroyo

Springfield, MA - The Commonweath of Massachusetts charged Daryn M. Sampson, age 35, and Gilka Rolon-Arroyo, age 24, with involuntary manslaughter in conjunction with the overdose death of Rebekah Swotchak, age 31, on Februarty 20, 2016.



The Defendants were also charged with possession of heroin with intent to distribute,possession of fentanyl with intend to distribute, and distribution of fentanyl.

Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni announced today the guilty verdicts in the 2016 overdose death of Ms. Rebekah Swotchak of Westfield. A Hampden Superior Court Jury found Daryn Sampson, 35, of Westfield, and Gilka Rolon-Arroyo, 24, of Westfield, guilty on charges of manslaughter in the death of Ms. Swotchak.



On February 9, 2015, officers from the Westfield Police Department executed a search warrant at the home of Daryn Sampson and Gilka Rolon-Arroyo. The search warrant was obtained after an investigation revealed heroin was being sold out of dwelling occupied by the two suspects. During the search of the apartment law enforcement officials seized approximately 50 bags of heroin ready for sale.



Arrested by the Westfield Police Department on charges relating to drug possession and distribution were: Daryn Sampon and Gilka Rolon-Arroyo.



The next morning, February 10, 2016, the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni’s Office was called to the scene of an unattended death.in Westfield, Mass by the Westfield Police Department.



Upon arrival law enforcement officials discovered the deceased, Ms. Rebekah Swotchak. The initial investigation into the Rebekah’s death pointed towards an accidental overdose of illicit narcotics, which was later confirmed by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.



While on scene, detectives from Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit were informed by detectives from Westfield Police Department that on the previous day a search warrant that led to the arrest of two people suspected of selling heroin took place in the same building which Rebekah lived in.



Through the subsequent investigation evidence was uncovered that showed both Daryn Sampson and Gilka Rolon-Arroyo were selling narcotics to Ms. Swotchak.



Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni stated, “When a parent loses a child, when a sibling loses a sibling, when a friend loses a friend, we have an obligation to hold those responsible for that death accountable. When, as in this case, there is a nexus between a victim’s fatal overdose and the supplier of the drugs that led to the death, we will investigate and prosecute these cases to the fullest extent of the law, up to and including charges of manslaughter.” District Attorney Gulluni went on to state, “I would like to thank the members of the jury for their deliberations. I applaud Assistant District Attorney Robert Schmidt for his commitment to the victim and to public safety. I also thank the Westfield Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to my office for their cooperation and conducting an excellent investigation that led to this conviction.

Defendants were found guilty on the involuntary manslaughter, possession of heroin with intent to distribute and distribution of heroin charges, but not guilty on the other charges.