NORWICH – Eight defendants were indicted for felonies this week, including two accused of selling cocaine, another accused of stealing a dog during a home burglary, and a school employee accused of stealing funds from the Norwich School District.

One of the indictments described the forgery and larceny that allegedly took place at the Perry Brown School, but failed to mention that the alleged perpetrator remains an employee.

Rebecca L. Evans, 49, of Norwich was indicted for five counts of second-degree forgery, a class D felony, and one count of third-degree grand larceny, a class D felony.

Allegedly, from October 2015 to March 2018, Evans used her treasurer position for the Purple Tornado Community Team to forge a signature on five checks with the intent to steal $10,298.40. Evans was charged with the thefts after the Purple Tornado Community Team President Tyler Brown, reviewed bank statements, noticed discrepancies, and went to the police.

"I'm disappointed to say, she is still an employee of the school district," said Norwich City School District Superintendent Gerard O'Sullivan.

O'Sullivan said Evans has remained an employee at the school, but only due to the legal process required to fire a teacher. He added that while the case is underway, Evans is being monitored in the district office, without access to finances.

Two City of Norwich residents, Bethann R. Freelove, 36, and Patrick J. Gilbert, 50, were indicted for third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, a class B felony, fifth-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, a class D felony, and first-degree criminal nuisance, a class E felony.

• According to their indictments, during March 2018, Freelove and Gilbert sold cocaine and Xanax out of an apartment on Mitchell Street in the City of Norwich.

Joshua R. Backus, 21, of Greene was indicted for second-degree burglary, a class C felony, and two counts of second-degree menacing, a class A misdemeanor.