A man from Connecticut faced the court and accepted a plea agreement on Friday, resulting in an eight-month sentence for multiple drug possession charges stemming from a traffic stop last fall on Interstate 91. Stephen Lewis Davidson, 34, of Middletown, appeared virtually alongside his attorney, Josh Atkisson, in Windham Superior Court.

The incident took place on November 4, 2025, when law enforcement officers stopped a gray Toyota Corolla, which had been reported stolen after being rented in Connecticut. Suspicion arose when Davidson, driving the vehicle, was seen slouching down as he passed by a police cruiser. A subsequent records check confirmed the vehicle’s status.

During the traffic stop, authorities found a crack pipe in the possession of one of Davidson’s passengers, but did not locate any drugs on Davidson at that time. However, one of the passengers, Wooding, was later discovered to have 20 bags of fentanyl on him. A search of the vehicle after it was towed revealed more drugs concealed in the headliner above the driver’s seat, including 14.3 grams of cocaine and 3.3 grams of purple fentanyl.

In court, Judge Michael Kainen outlined Davidson’s rights, emphasizing the implications of pleading guilty, including waiving the right to a trial and appeal. Davidson acknowledged understanding this before moving forward with his guilty pleas to the charges of possession of fentanyl, possession of cocaine, and possession of stolen property. All sentences for these charges will be served concurrently.

Judge Kainen highlighted the seriousness of the quantity of fentanyl found, which was packaged in 106 bags, indicating a significant potential threat to public safety. The Deputy State’s Attorney, Johns Congdon, mentioned that given Davidson’s situation and the complexities involved in supervising an out-of-state individual, the agreed-upon flat sentence was fitting. He observed that the arrangement may have been preferable for Davidson to avoid the challenges associated with parole supervision in Connecticut.

Atkisson elaborated on Davidson’s circumstances, noting his inability to post bail since his arrest. Originally, the hearing was intended as a bail review but led to a plea agreement that both parties deemed satisfactory. Atkisson mentioned that Davidson had been visiting a friend in Rutland when he was stopped, adding a personal touch to the case.

The judge concluded that Davidson’s plea was made knowingly, consistent with the facts presented, and imposed the agreed sentence. Davidson has been in custody since his arrest and will receive credit for the time already served.