WINDSOR, Vt. — Aria Garamella, 50, a local cheerleading coach and Hartford High School alumna, is among seven Windsor residents cited after a narcotics search warrant turned up large quantities of illegal drugs, a firearm, and evidence of drug distribution at a Route 5 South residence on Nov 5.
Windsor County Sheriff’s deputies, assisted by Windsor and Springfield police, say officers found fentanyl, crack cocaine, and methamphetamine, along with a firearm and ammunition.
Investigators also recovered scales, plastic bags, and large amounts of cutting agents, primarily baking soda and mannitol, consistent with drug sale and manufacture.
Because loose powder was initially suspected to be fentanyl, the Vermont State HAZMAT Response Team was called as a precaution.
The sheriff’s office listed charges including conspiracy to traffic fentanyl, conspiracy to sell cocaine and methamphetamine, manufacture or cultivation of cocaine, and multiple possession counts.
All seven were cited to appear in Windsor court on Jan. 13, 2026. Those cited are James R. Morse, 60; Aria Garamella, 50; Sarah K. Barbour, 38; Kevin Esty, 41; John K. Murray, 51; Timothy Murray, 49; and Jonah R. Meadows, 50. The investigation is ongoing.
Concerns Grow On Social Media
The operation prompted local reaction. Former students and acquaintances expressed shock and concern on social media.
Jade Elizabeth Gagne wrote, “What a shame! Aria was my cheerleading coach back throughout my whole childhood.”
Another individual added, “Aria, please go get help. You have so many people that care about you! We all know you are a great person. I’m praying for you, my friend! Your kids need you and love you the drugs don’t!”
Crystel Turner noted she knew Garamella sober, while others urged her to get help and said they were praying for her. Several commenters said they’d seen her struggle in recent months, but few said, “She had been clean and doing so well.”
In the past, Garamella once wrote about resilience and vulnerability lines such as, “Being overly independent is a defense mechanism from constantly being let down,” and, “I am a strong person. But once in a while, I need someone to hug me and tell me, ‘Everything is going to be okay.’”
These quotes appear in public social posts and provide context to community reactions.
The Windsor County Sheriff’s Department thanked the Windsor and Springfield police departments, local fire crews, and the Vermont State HAZMAT Response Team for their assistance and said it will continue the investigation.
