Drug Charges

May 20, 2014

Camden, NJ Sees Biggest Drug Bust in 10 Years

Photo via Camden PD.

Nearly two weeks ago, authorities charged 22 people in a drug bust said to involve the sale of crack, cocaine, and heroin in one of the most dangerous cities in the U.S., Camden, New Jersey. According to an article at Philly.com, the drug bust involved mothers, sisters, cousins, and sons, with the sale of illicit drugs reaching into Sicklerville, Lindenwold, and Gloucester City.

Authorities had been investigating the possible sale of drugs on Liberty and Sheridan Streets in Camden, an area notorious for crime, for three years, launching what they referred to as the biggest FBI drug take-down in the area in 10 years. Using hidden tracking devices on vehicles, wiretaps, and confidential informants, those involved in the investigation including not only the FBI but the New Jersey State Police , Prosecutor’s Office, and Camden County Police Department Metro Division were able to charge 22 individuals in the drug crimes. Whitman Park is where much of the drug activity occurred, an area where 12 homicides have taken place since 2012. Continue reading

May 19, 2014

Spokane Police Car Rear Ended by Teen Who Was Arrested on DUI and Drug Charges

by Scott Grabel

Spokane Police Department photo

On Tuesday May 13, an 18-year-old Spokane girl was arrested and charged with DUI after she allegedly rear ended a Spokane Police car at a stop light on Division Street, according to a news report at KXLY.com. Savannah Ashby is accused of crashing into the back of the patrol car while police were stopped at the stoplight located at Division Street and Wellesley Avenue. While no one was seriously injured in the incident, authorities say that Ashby not only was driving under the influence, but also had methamphetamine in her possession.

Ashby’s vehicle struck another car after hitting the patrol car, according to the Spokesman. She was booked into the county jail at about 2 a.m. on the 13th and charged with driving under the influence and possession of a controlled substance. Ashby was scheduled to appear in court on the afternoon of May 13th. Continue reading

May 12, 2014

Alabama Man Arrested in Nationwide Roundup of ‘Designer Drug’ Dealers

by Scott Grabel

On Wednesday May 10, a Hoover, Alabama man was arrested in connection to distributing a controlled substance, what the DEA called ‘designer drugs’ that are poison and clearly designed for human consumption. 56-year-old Ali Reza Samanifar was arrested at his home and faces three charg es of unlawful distribution of a controlled substance, according to a news article at Al.com. Samanifar’s business was also searched following his arrest after authorities obtained a search warrant to search the A & S Food Mart, Inc.

The DEA is carrying out a nationwide roundup, raiding head shops and convenience stores where the ‘designer’ drugs are being sold. According to the article, the ongoing operation is known as Project Synergy; the Alabama portion of the nationwide sweep has been dubbed “Operation Red Tide.” The substances DEA agents are in search of include eight classes of drugs ranging from hallucinogens to stimulants. Continue reading

May 6, 2014

Rutgers University Students Arrested for Dealing Marijuana, Cocaine, and More

by Scott Grabel

On Sunday May 4, New Brunswick firefighters responded to reports of a basement fire at a home in the area where six Rutgers students were living. Upon arriving at the scene, firefighters discovered drugs including marijuana and cocaine, along with drug paraphernalia according to a news report at NBC New York.

The fire was determined by investigators to be an accident. None of the 20 to 22-year-old students were injured, however all were arrested on various drug charges. Police were called to the scene after firefighters noticed the drugs at the home located at 166 Hamilton Street. The investigation led to the arrest of:

20-year-old Christian Acevedo and 20-year-old Andrew Shattuck, both charged with possession of marijuana and possession with intent to distribute.

Charles Cini and Gregory Molfetta, both 22 years old, and Steven Carrero, age 21, all charged with possession of marijuana, possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute.

April 30, 2014

San Francisco Man’s Drug Conviction Overturned by Federal Appeals Court After Time Served

by Scott Grabel

Gale Joseph Young, a San Francisco man who was found guilty of possessing crack cocaine in 2008, recently had his conviction overturned by a federal appeals court. The appeals court determined that the DNA linking Young to the crime was not reliable. Unfortunately, Young had already served out his prison term of almost six years when the decision was made. Nathaniel Garrett, Young’s attorney, said that Young served his time, but cannot get it back.

According to a news article at SFGate, Young was at the police station in June of 2008 being questioned regarding a case which was unrelated to the drug possession case. After being strip searched to determine if Young had any drugs on his body, he was released. Officers later discovered 14 grams of crack cocaine in a plastic bag lying on the floor. DNA tests were performed which showed that the majority of the DNA on the bag belonged to women, while a “low-copy number DNA” matched a male.

Young was convicted of possession of crack cocaine in 2012, although he had remained in jail since his arrest in 2008. An expert witness called to testify by prosecutors at Young’s trial claimed that Young could not be excluded as the individual whose DNA was found on the bag. He was sentenced to five years and 10 months in prison, a term he served out before being exonerated by the appellate court. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found that the DNA evidence was simply too weak to support Young’s conviction. Continue reading

April 28, 2014

R & B Singer James DeBarge Arrested for Methamphetamine Possession

by Scott Grabel

On Thursday April 24, 50-year-old James DeBarge was arrested in Los Angeles for possession of methamphetamine according to an article at Reuters. DeBarge, part of the 1980’s sibling singing group DeBarge, was briefly married to Janet Jackson in the mid-80’s. The group enjoyed a few hits including “Who’s Holding Donna Now” and “Rhythm of the Night.”

DeBarge was being held at a Los Angeles jail at the time of news reports, without bail. According to a local District Attorney’s office, he was convicted in 2011 of possession of a controlled substance in Los Angeles. News reports at other sources reveal DeBarge has been battling drug issues in recent years.

In California, the criminal penalties for possessing methamphetamine depend on whether the accused is charged with a misdemeanor or felony offense. If charged as a misdemeanor, criminal penalties include a maximum fine of $1,000 and up to one year in county jail. If the defendant is convicted of felony meth possession, he or she will face punishment which includes a maximum fine of $10,000 and/or up to three years in state prison. Continue reading

April 22, 2014

Alexandria Drug Investigation Nets Four Arrests

by Scott Grabel

On Friday April 18, Alexandria, LA police officers were patrolling an area when they noticed a man who had an active warrant driving a vehicle. After making contact with Adam Nick, officers noticed that the suspect seemed to be extremely nervous. They soon realized why Nick was nervous after discovering a digital scale which was in plain view in the floorboard of Nick’s vehicle.

Police arrested Nick before requesting a K-9 unit come to the scene. Narcotic investigators were notified after the dogs alerted to what was suspected to be heroin in the vehicle. Nick was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and marijuana or synthetic cannabinoid, and possession/distribution of a schedule II substance (heroin, cocaine) according to news reports at KALB News Channel 5.

Following Nick’s arrest police searched a Pineville area residence and discovered that they believed to be heroin in small pieces of tinfoil and plastic bags. In all, it was believed that Sean and Ashley Bennett had 16 grams of heroin. The two were arrested and charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting an officer, and obstruction of justice. Continue reading

April 18, 2014

Tampa Bay Lightning Forward Charged with DUI, Cocaine Possession

by Scott Grabel

On Saturday morning April 12, Ryan Malone, Tampa Bay Lightning forward, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. In the process of his arrest, police discovered cocaine in Malone’s pants pocket, according to a recent article at USA Today.

At approximately 3 a.m., Tampa police witnessed a Chevrolet Suburban make a left-hand turn from South Armenia Avenue onto Platt Street. Malone allegedly made the left-hand turn from the center lane, then proceeded to hit a curb in the Suburban. Police pulled Malone over, and determined that he was driving while intoxicated.

The Tampa Bay forward refused to submit to a field sobriety test, but did submit to a breath test after being taken into custody. News reports indicate his BAC (blood alcohol content) was .112 and .116, higher than the state’s legal limit of 0.08. Continue reading

April 18, 2014

California Drug Trafficking Ring Busted – 11 People Arrested

by Scott Grabel

On Monday April 14, authorities in California claimed that they had “dismantled” a drug trafficking ring that smuggled cocaine and methamphetamines from Mexico for distribution to New York, Arkansas, Illinois, and other states. According to a news report at U-T San Diego, the 11 individuals who were in a group known as the Magana Drug Trafficking Organization worked with Nuestra Familia prison gang street gangs to distribute the drugs.

33-year-old Jose Pastor Magana, head of the drug organization, lives just southeast of Fresno in Dinuba; he was charged with eight counts including transportation and sale of a controlled substance and felony possession. Authorities began investigating the drug ring in the summer of 2013, when it was suspected that Magana was selling marijuana. It was revealed that in addition to marijuana, Magana was dealing in cocaine and methamphetamines.

In the course of arresting the 11 individuals, agents seized 942 marijuana plants, 56 pounds of meth, and 4 kilograms of cocaine in addition to a car and nearly $270,000 in cash. The majority of the arrested were made in Riverside and Tulare counties in California, however two were arrested in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Authorities say the individuals arrested will face similar charges to those of Magana. Continue reading

April 18, 2014

19-year-old Columbus Man Denied Appeal of Conviction and Sentencing

by Scott Grabel

A 19-year-old Columbus, OH man who was convicted in July of this year on charges of felonious assault, aggravated robbery, aggravated trafficking in drugs, and other charges has had his conviction and sentencing appeal denied by the Court of Appeals of Ohio Fourth Appellate District, according to an article at Logan Daily.

Warren Love, the defendant, appealed his conviction and sentencing based on his belief that in imposing his sentence of 23 years, the trial court committed a harmful error. Love also argued that he was convicted even though there was insufficient evidence.

Bill Archer, Hocking County Assistant Prosecutor, said that Love is a “thug” who “brought his crime show” to Hocking. Love was convicted of shooting a man in the leg in January of last year during a drug deal. Apparently, the shooting victim handed over his money, but Love shot him instead of giving him the drugs he paid for. On April 10, the Court of Appeals filed a judgment which affirmed the conviction and sentencing originally handed down by the Hocking County Common Pleas Court. Continue reading