MONTPELIER — In the wake of a young man’s overdose death, the Montpelier Police Department apprehended 22-year-old Benjamin Wiater from Calais on Thursday at 4:42 p.m., on charges related to the fatal incident.
After months of probing into the source of the drugs that led to 19-year-old Tyler Matthews’ demise, authorities have identified Wiater as the primary suspect.
He faces charges of dispensing a regulated drug with death resulting.
Following his arrest, Wiater was brought to the local police department for processing.
The Washington County State’s Attorney’s Office was consulted and initially sought to have Wiater held on bail.
However, upon review, a Vermont Superior Court Judge ruled that Wiater could be released without bail.
Wiater has been released on conditions that he appear at the Vermont Superior Court in Barre on Feb. 16 to respond to the charge.
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding Matthews’ overdose continues, and the Montpelier Police Department encourages anyone with additional information to come forward.
No further details have been released at this time.
