Man sentenced to probation on drug-trafficking, possession charges

WARREN — Judge Ronald Rice of Trumbull County Common Pleas Court sentenced Rafael L. Patterson, 26, of Laurelwood Drive and Robert Lane, to five years’ probation and ordered him to pay a $22,500 fine today after Patterson pleaded guilty earlier to nine drug-trafficking and possession charges.

Patterson also forfeited $17,434 in cash that was in his possession when police raided his Robert Lane home.

Police said an investigation following the April 10, 2015, death of Megan Fitzgerald, 24, of Champion showed Maurice Bryant, 28, of Shady Lane in Howland, gave the fatal dose of drugs to Fitzgerald, and Patterson sold drugs to Bryant.

Bryant was sentenced to three years in prison earlier for his role in Fitzgerald’s death.