On Sunday evening, two men were arrested on Mt. Washington at a home owned by Mississippi State assistant coach Deshea Townsend, according to news reports at CBS and USA Today. Authorities do not suspect that Townsend is in any way involved in the heroin bust. The property near Pittsburgh is an investment property managed by a rental agent employed by Townsend.
As law enforcement conducted the large heroin bust, neighbors in the area said that they had no idea any drug activity was going on, and that they keep an eye out on the neighborhood. Many were surprised that such a large operation was being handled at the townhouse, which was believed to be the distribution point of what authorities called a “major heroin operation.”
While investigating the home, the DEA and other law enforcement agencies discovered 16 firearms, Cuban cigars, two luxury vehicles, jewelry and cash valued at more than $100,000, and 75,000 stamped bags (1500 bricks) of heroin. The two men arrested were 35-year-old James Perrin and 33-year-old Price Montgomery.
The two suspects were pulled over early Sunday morning while driving an Audi SUV. Police found heroin in the Audi, and executed a search warrant on the home. Perrin and Montgomery are charged with illegal possession of firearms, possession of heroin, possession with intent to deliver heroin, belonging to a corrupt organization, and criminal conspiracy.
Distributing heroin and other illegal drugs is a serious problem not only in Pennsylvania, but across the country. Lawmakers and law enforcement continue to crack down on offenders as penalties become tougher in an effort to reduce the amount of drug activity that goes on in our nation. In Michigan, the criminal penalties for those found guilty of possession of heroin with intent to distribute are extremely harsh, and include 20 years to life in prison depending on the amount of heroin involved. Those convicted will also face fines of up to $1 million.
Heroin is a Schedule 1 drug; drugs in this category are the most dangerous and highly abused of all, which is why the punishment for possessing or selling these drugs is so severe. In fact, even if an individual is arrested for possessing heroin, police and/or prosecutors may attempt to “trump up” the charge to a possession with intent charge if the amount a person is in possession of seems to be more than would be considered normal for personal use.
Regardless of how serious or minor the charges seem, do not face the criminal justice system without the legal support and guidance of a seasoned and aggressive Michigan drug crime attorney. Your future and freedom are in jeopardy; you must have a capable lawyer by your side to ensure the best possible outcome.