Conway woman denied bail on drug charge

CONWAY — An accused drug courier arrested last week following an investigation that began with a suspected overdose death was ordered held without bail during a court appearance Tuesday afternoon.

Investigators arrested Christina Babb, 51, and Patricia Baranski, 47, both of Conway, on Dec. 19 after executing a search warrant at the Colonial Motel on White Mountain Highway in North Conway.

Babb, who is charged with possession of fentanyl, appeared before Judge Charles Greenhalgh in Conway District Court for an arraignment and bail hearing. She remained jailed and appeared by video conference. Samantha Kotusky of the Carroll County Attorney’s Office asked Greenhalgh to order Babb held without bail.

Babb is currently charged only with possession of fentanyl at the Colonial Motel. However, a probable cause affidavit written by Conway Police Sgt. Jaymes LaPointe states that Babb drove Baranski to meet the fatal overdose victim for a drug transaction on the day of the woman’s death.

“While the charge itself is not not egregious in of itself, the circumstances surrounding the situation lends to preventive detention," Kotusky said and noted that Babb has a criminal history in Maine and Florida. Her Florida record includes multiple cocaine-related charges and a failure to appear on possession and smuggling-contraband-into-prison charges stemming from August 2022. "This is a young lady who's been providing drug courier services, essentially to her co defendant, and the state sees that as a serious danger to the community and to herself."

Babb’s attorney, Dennis Morgan of Cooper Cargill Chant in North Conway, argued that Babb should be released on personal recognizance.

“As the state has acknowledged, this is a possession charge,” Morgan said. “This is a possession charge … I believe that PR bail can be appropriate with necessary conditions to ensure Ms. Babb's appearance in court as well as protecting her safety, as well as that of the public.”

Greenhalgh rejected that argument.

“I’m going to grant the state’s request for preventive detention,” he said, without elaboration.

The arrests stem from an investigation into the death of a 39-year-old woman at the Hitching Post Motel on Dec. 11. As of Tuesday, police were still attempting to notify the woman’s family.

Police were called to the Hitching Post, at 850 White Mountain Highway in North Conway, at 6:51 p.m. for a report of an unconscious woman who was not breathing.

Investigators obtained the contents of the woman’s phone as well as surveillance footage from the motel. Police say text messages show the victim arranged to purchase drugs from Baranski.

According to police, surveillance video shows Babb driving Baranski in a Jeep Grand Cherokee to the Hitching Post around 12:30 a.m. on Dec. 11.

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“In summary, these text communications indicate that (the overdose victim) requested a specific quantity or $60 worth of an illegal drug from Baranski, who in turn sent ‘Chris’ to make the delivery,” the affidavit states.

Detective Richard Theberge believed “Chris” was Christina Babb after observing surveillance footage showing Babb acting as the driver during the drug transaction that occurred in the early morning hours of Dec. 11 — the same date as (the woman’s) death.

Police later learned the Jeep belonged to a Brownfield resident who had lent it to Baranski, believing her vehicle was being repaired.

Investigators later located Babb and Baranski at the Colonial Motel. Police initially went to the Colonial on the evening of Dec. 18 to investigate a report of a stolen vehicle, which was unrelated to the drug case. That vehicle was parked near the women’s room, prompting officers to knock on the door. Baranski eventually answered.

The following day, police executed a search warrant at the motel.

Baranski was charged with multiple drug offenses, including possession of a controlled or narcotic drug, possession with intent to distribute, and being a drug enterprise leader. Babb was charged with one count of possession of a controlled or narcotic drug.

The drug enterprise leader charge alleges that Baranski conspired with Babb to engage for profit in the unlawful sale of heroin and/or fentanyl and crack cocaine. According to the charge, Babb agreed to maintain a ledger of drug transactions, transport Baranski to facilitate drug sales and transport controlled drugs at Baranski’s direction.

During the search, investigators reported finding a large quantity of controlled substances, drug-packaging materials, a digital scale and a large amount of cash in Baranski’s room. Police said the seizure included approximately 30 grams of heroin and fentanyl, with an estimated street value of $2,400.

During an interview at the motel, Babb admitted to driving Baranski to drug transactions, including the meeting with the woman who later overdosed. The affidavit states that a small amount of heroin or fentanyl was found in Babb’s purse.

Conway Police Chief Chris Mattei said the department will continue its efforts to address illegal drug activity in the community.

Baranski was ordered held without bail by Greenhalgh on Monday and is scheduled for a probable cause hearing on Dec. 30.

Anyone with information related to the case is asked to contact the Conway Police Department’s Investigative Services Division at (603) 356-5715.