Man who overdosed faces felony drug charge

A Town of Saukville man who overdosed on what authorities believe was either heroin or fentanyl, or both, at his home late last month has been charged in Ozaukee County Circuit Court with a felony.

David T. Aversa II faces one count of possession of narcotic drugs and a misdemeanor charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.

He is charged as a repeat offender.

Ozaukee County sheriff’s deputies were called to Aversa’s home at 6:05 p.m. Friday, Jan. 26, and found him lying on the floor in the basement. He was pale and gasping for air, according to a criminal complaint.

A deputy, who recognized Aversa from previous contacts, administered multiple doses of Narcan and performed sternal rubs in an effort to revive him until rescue personnel arrived.

The deputy noticed a small baggie on a counter near Aversa that contained a tan powdery substance suspected of being heroin or fentanyl along with multiple pieces of burnt tin foil, which are used to heat drugs so they produce smoke that is inhaled. Also found near Aversa were Chore Boy scrubbing pads, which are sometimes used as makeshift filters in drug pipes, the complaint states.

Aversa was eventually revived and taken to Aurora Medical Center in Grafton for treatment, which he refused.

When he was arrested, Aversa denied having drugs and demanded to know why he was being punished when he is a victim of the opioid epidemic, according to the complaint.

In 2021, Aversa was arrested at Arby’s restaurant in Port Washington after a woman called authorities at 12:21 a.m. on Sept. 17 to report that she was giving Aversa a ride from Sheboygan to Milwaukee when he insisted she pull over so he could use a bathroom.

The woman said that when she suggested they continue driving because no restaurants or stores would be open, Aversa, who she knew only by his first name, became angry and threatened to kill her, according to the criminal complaint filed in that case.

Officers caught up with Aversa at Arby’s, searched his backpack and found marijuana.

When they arrested him, Aversa resisted and kicked officers.

He pleaded guilty to a second and subsequent charge of marijuana possession, a felony, and a misdemeanor charge of resisting arrest.

Ozaukee County Circuit Judge Sandy Williams ordered Aversa to serve a year in jail but stayed the sentenced and placed him on probation for three years on the drug charge.

Williams sentenced him to seven months in jail for resisting arrest.

During a court hearing last month, Williams set bail for Aversa at $5,000 in connection with the most recent charges and ordered him to maintain absolute sobriety.