Articles Posted in Drug Charges

On Friday November 22, police executed a search warrant at a home in Antwerp Township; during their search, police found a Taser, methamphetamine residue, and three ounces of marijuana according to a news article at Mlive.com.

A 55-year-old man who was at the home when police entered on Friday morning refused orders to lie on the floor; he ran into a bathroom while being chased by police, according to a news release issued by the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office. The man was charged with possession of meth, a stun device, and obstructing police officer. Three other individuals were also at the residence at the time the search was conducted.

Information regarding possible illegal narcotics activity at the home led police to conduct the search warrant. In addition to other items already mentioned, police found meth-smoking paraphernalia.

Another woman was arrested in the course of events; the 40-year-old Paw Paw woman had an outstanding warrant, and will likely be charged with marijuana and methamphetamine possession. Two others at the home included a 65-year-old Mattawan man who will face charges of maintaining a drug house, possession of meth, and possession of marijuana with intent to deliver. A 36-year-old Kalamazoo man is expected to face charges of meth and marijuana possession as well.

The investigation is ongoing according to news reports.

Possession of methamphetamine or marijuana are taken very seriously in the state of Michigan, as is possession with intent. Individuals who are convicted of possession or possession with intent to deliver or distribute may potentially face years in prison and substantial fines, depending on the amount of drug involved and other factors. More serious drug charges can leave an individual facing life in prison.

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Recently, two individuals were arrested after Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office narcotics detectives searched a vacant Hartford apartment, according to a news article at Mlive.com. The narcotics detectives searched the vacant apartment at the request of the property owner.

Upon searching the vacant residence, detectives discovered eight hydrochloric gas generators, three active one-pot meth lab reaction vessels, and other components used in the manufacturing of methamphetamines, according to a news release. Police obtained a search warrant for another residence at the same property located on Marion Avenue, where they found meth-smoking paraphernalia and a small amount of methamphetamine.

While investigating at the apartments, police noticed a vehicle which had expired tags pull out of the property; the vehicle was pulled over, and the driver arrested for driving with a suspended license. The Hartford man is 27 years old, and facing potential charges of operating and maintaining a meth lab. He was incarcerated at the Van Buren County Jail. An 18-year-old woman was also arrested by police on a warrant for failure to appear in court on a marijuana possession charge in Berrien County.

The sheriff’s office also reported that an 18-year-old Hartford man and a 37-year-old Hartford woman who were not arrested at the time will be charged with meth possession.

Drugs are a serious problem in Michigan, and across the U.S. As law makers continue the “war on drugs,” police and prosecutors vigorously pursue those suspected of possessing, manufacturing, or distributing illegal drugs and narcotics. Some of these illicit substances include methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, and marijuana. In their over-zealous pursuit, many individuals who were in possession of a certain type of drug find they are facing charges of possession with intent, which results in harsher penalties than simple possession if convicted.

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Kevin Lee Tucker, a 54-year-old Big Rapids Township man, was scheduled to return to court on November 19 on multiple charges related to the manufacturing of methamphetamines. Tucker’s home was raided on November 13 by CMET (Central Michigan Enforcement Team), who had secured a search warrant.

According to news reports, deputies with the Mecosta County Sheriff’s Department obtained information regarding the alleged meth lab in October; this information led to an “intensive investigation,” according to police. Tucker was allegedly manufacturing methamphetamines using a method which is fairly uncommon, and known as the Red Phosphorous Method.

Neighbors in the Big Rapids Township community were said to be shocked that such activity was going on in their neighborhood. Police seized evidence, although news reports did not reveal what that evidence was. Neighbors reported that meth making components were being taken from a barn on the property.

Tucker faces charges which include manufacturing meth, owing equipment to make meth, owning a building to make meth, possession of meth, and operating a meth lab with hazardous waste. Police said that hazardous waste was sealed and removed from the scene, to be disposed of at a hazardous-waste collection site.

In the state of Michigan, possessing and/or manufacturing methamphetamine are extremely serious charges. If convicted, the accused faces harsh penalties which may include substantial fines and prison time. In fact, meth possession may result in penalties which include fines of up to $15,000 and 10 years in jail. If convicted of manufacturing methamphetamines, an individual may face fines of up to $25,000 and up to 20 years in prison. Other penalties may include driver’s license suspension and having parenting rights revoked if CPS conducts an investigation into the making of meth on property where children live.

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Keith William Boyce Jr., a 38-year-old Flint resident, was sentenced on Monday November 18 to 3 to 20 years in prison for his role in two methamphetamine lab explosions according to recent news articles. Boyce pleaded guilty to charges related to an April 16 incident on the city’s north side; he was also allegedly involved in a meth lab explosion which occurred in July on the city’s east side in the 3000 block of Woodrow Avenue.

In the April blast, neighbors reported the explosion sounding like a bomb exploded. This incident took place at the Rollingwood Manor apartment complex; the force of the explosion blew a hole in an outside wall of the complex, according to authorities. Prior to being sentenced by Genesee Circuit Judge Archie Hayman, Boyce said that leaving the military was the worst decision of his life.

Inside the apartment where the explosion originated, authorities located meth components including two one-pot meth labs made with soda bottles which were 16 and 20 ounce bottles. They believe one of these bottles caused the explosion. The defendant told police that he believed reusing one of the bottles too many times led to the explosion. Boyce apologized to residents of the apartment complex, saying that “People’s lives were at risk.”

In the July meth lab explosion, a bedroom sustained damage when a wall and window were blown out. Authorities found chemicals and 2-liter bottles filled with lye in a shed, along with jumper cables which were connected to electrical wires inside the home. There was no power in the home according to news reports.

Michigan drug crime lawyers know that a conviction for manufacturing, creating, or delivering methamphetamine or other Schedule 1 or 2 drugs will result in severe criminal penalties. These penalties may include thousands of dollars in fines along with substantial prison time, possibly even life in prison depending on the details of your specific case.

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On September 9, a home located on Greenfield Road on the Michigan-Indiana state line caught fire. After investigating, it was discovered that methamphetamine was on the property, according to a news article at The Daily Reporter. 44-year-old Laura Ferrier was recently charged with possession of methamphetamine, and is now facing a maximum prison sentence of 20 years due to convictions related to meth in 2005 and 2010 in Indiana.

Ferrier’s bond was set at $100,000 by Branch County District Judge Brent Weigle. Awaiting scheduling of preliminary proceedings, Ferrier requested a reduction in bond due to the fact she is scheduled to appear in Indiana on another charge November 20.

When the fire began in the home in a second floor bedroom, Ferrier was able to remove two children from the home safely, a 6-year-old girl and 8-year-old boy. Authorities did not reveal whether the manufacture of methamphetamine led to the fire, although representatives from the Branch County Sheriff’s office were called in by fire department officials to help remove hazardous waste which was related to the production of methamphetamine at the scene.

News reports indicate investigators found remnants of a one-pot meth cooking lab in a backpack in the garage of the home. Ferrier’s car was also found to have drug residue and components for meth making. Court documents indicated that Ferrier appeared to be under the influence at the scene, and admitted to using methamphetamine. Inside the home, police and firemen found materials used to smoke drugs, along with synthetic marijuana and several bundles of meth.

The fire was under control in just a few minutes, and contained in a bedroom.

The news article indicated only that Ferrier had been charged with methamphetamine possession, however warrants have been issued for other individuals involved. It was not clear whether authorities intend to charge any of the residents of the home with manufacturing meth.

The criminal penalties for possession of or manufacturing methamphetamine in Michigan are severe. As indicated above, Ferrier will face up to 20 years in prison due to her status as a repeat offender. Typically, a first-time offender convicted of possessing meth will face up to 10 years in prison, and fines of up to $15,000 depending on the amount of the drug involved.

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In the early morning hours of November 12, Kalamazoo Township Police were investigating an explosion that occurred inside a Parchment home that blew out a window and knocked a foundation wall loose. Authorities believe the explosion may have been meth-related.

Police are looking for 24-year-old Branden Michael McNamara in connection with the explosion. McNamara is accused of absconding while on parole, and wanted by the Michigan Department of Corrections. Police issued a news release describing McNamara as white, approximately 5′ 10″ tall with blue eyes and brown hair, weighing about 170 pounds. Officials also said that McNamara may have hand and facial injuries.

Police do not believe the owner of the home is involved in any suspicious activity. The explosion at the home located in the 600 block of Parchmount occurred just before 7 a.m.; police would not reveal how many individuals were inside the home when the explosion took place.

Details have yet to be released as to why police suspect meth was being manufactured in the home. The only evidence of the explosion outside the home was broken glass from the window.

If charged with manufacturing methamphetamine, McNamara will face serious penalties if convicted. In Michigan, the punishment for manufacturing Schedule 1 or 2 drugs are severe, and depend on various factors including the type and amount of drug involved, criminal history of the accused, and more.

An individual who is charged with manufacturing methamphetamine in an amount of less than 50 grams will potentially face fines of up to $25,000 and/or as long as 20 years in prison if found guilty. Penalties increase substantially in terms of fines/prison time for larger amounts of an illicit substance including cocaine, ecstasy, opium, or LSD. For instance, amounts of more than 1,000 grams will leave the accused individual potentially facing life in prison and fines of up to $1 million dollars.

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Last month, an Otsego woman was arrested after it was suspected by U.S. postal inspectors that she was dealing methamphetamine through the mail. Magdalena Stevenson was arrested and facing federal charges after the U.S. Postal Inspection Service discovered a suspicious package which had been mailed from Vallejo, CA at the Grand Rapids Priority Mail Center. The package was on its way to an Otsego post office box, according to news reports at Mlive.com.

Following a K-9 inspection which revealed the package contained narcotics, a federal search warrant was obtained by authorities. According to a three-page complaint, inspectors discovered the package contained approximately 200 grams of crystal methamphetamine.

Upon the discovery, members of the West Michigan Enforcement Team and postal inspectors conducted a controlled delivery of the package to the Otsego post office in an effort to catch Stevenson, who arrived at the post office on the afternoon of October 9 to pick up the package. She was arrested by officers who were waiting for her as she exited the facility.

Stevenson reportedly admitted that she knew the package contained meth, and that she was a dealer. She was charged with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of meth, and using a communications facility in facilitating the possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

Now, approximately one month later, the charges against Stevenson have been dismissed according to documents filed in U.S. District Court in Grand Rapids on October 29. While the investigation is ongoing, Detroit U.S. Postal Inspector Wylie Christopher said that he had no comment on the charges being dismissed against Stevenson.

A conviction for meth possession with intent to deliver may leave an individual facing up to 20 years in prison, depending on the facts of the case. In most cases, federal charges result in even more serious punishment for the individual. While it has not been revealed what led to the charges being dismissed against Stevenson, no doubt she has escaped serious consequences for the time being.

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William Patrick Iott, a 25-year-old Milan resident, is now facing federal weapons charges after a Nike shoebox filled with ammunition and a handgun were discovered in his downtown apartment during a drug raid, according to news reports at Mlive.com.

Iott is a convicted felon whose apartment was searched when a search warrant was executed by the ATF and the Livingston and Washtenaw Enforcement Team. Upon searching the apartment, authorities discovered a .38 caliber revolver in a bedroom along with a Nike shoebox containing over 100 rounds for various gun calibers; the box also contained a handgun light, holster, and 34 spent .38 caliber casings according to an affidavit prepared by ATF agent Scott Toth.

Four bags of marijuana were seized from the apartment by officials. Iott admitted to authorities that he smokes marijuana; he also admitted that he sells it, earning about $200 per week. Iott said that he had various caliber ammunition because he was “not done buying guns,” and that the handgun was for protection.

News articles indicate Iott has been convicted in Michigan for eluding police in 2007, possession of a Taser in 2006, and conspiracy to commit larceny/larceny from a motor vehicle in 2005. In addition, Iott allegedly faces state charges involving delivery and manufacturing of a controlled substance (marijuana) and possession of a weapon by a felon according to court records.

Iott had been on parole for prior convictions, but was discharged in October of last year according to state prison records.

A federal charge of possession of a weapon by a felon is extremely serious; however, Michigan drug crime defense attorneys also realize the consequences of a conviction for delivery and manufacture of marijuana or any controlled substance.

While news reports indicate Iott had four bags of marijuana in his possession, he also allegedly admitted that he sells it. The criminal penalties for possessing marijuana with the intent to distribute or manufacture are harsh, and depend upon several factors including an individual’s criminal history and the amount of marijuana involved. For example, if an individual is found in possession of less than 5 kg or 20 marijuana plants which he or she intends to sell or distribute, penalties if convicted include fines of up to $20,000, jail time of up to four (4) years, or both.

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Approximately three weeks ago, three men were arrested following a traffic stop conducted by a Michigan State Police trooper. In the course of the stop, the trooper discovered more than 1,000 grams of what he suspected to be cocaine. Police said that the substance was packaged for distribution, according to an article at Mlive.com.

The trooper arrested the three men in Hart Township on U.S. 31 near Polk Road after stopping them for a routine traffic violation. According to the news article, the suspects ranged in age from 24 to 35 years old. After suspecting packaged cocaine, SSCENT (a multi-jurisdictional narcotics team based in Oceana County) was called in to investigate the car further. During their search, authorities found cash, a semi-automatic pistol, and 56 additional grams of cocaine.

The three men, Jesus Avilez-Perez, Abel Gamez-Morales, and Angel Viti-Perez were being held in the Oceana County Jail on $100,000 bonds following their arrest. Each was charged with manufacturing and delivering more than 650 grams of narcotics. During the process of being booked into jail, police found that the men had been deported previously.

Michigan drug crime attorneys know the seriousness of this criminal offense. Individuals who are convicted of possession of cocaine with intent to deliver in amounts of over 1,000 grams may face fines of up to $1 million and up to life in prison. Those who are convicted of possessing Schedule I or II drugs including meth, ecstasy, and LSD with the intent to sell or distribute those substances are punished harshly under Michigan Penal Code 333.7401.

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On Wednesday October 30, a search warrant was executed at a home in the 39000 block of Paw Paw Road in Paw Paw Township by Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office narcotics detectives. Now, a 33-year-old woman has been arrested and jailed for harboring a fugitive and manufacturing meth, according to a news article at Mlive.com.

Police claim that upon entering the residence, they found the woman in a locked upstairs bedroom. Police forced entry into the room after the woman refused to open the door or obey their commands. Deputies arrested her after she refused to comply with their commands even after gaining access to the bedroom.

Upon further search of the home, detectives located a small trap door in the back wall of a closet; upon further inspection, it was found that the trap door led to an attic. This is where police found Kalamazoo fugitive Gary Harding, who refused to come out until detectives threatened to send in a K-9; Harding then came out and was arrested.

Police continued searching the residence and discovered components used to manufacture methamphetamine, along with an active one-pot meth lab.

The woman, whose name was not revealed in news reports, was arrested and charged with harboring a fugitive, maintaining a drug house, resisting and obstructing police officers, and operating and maintaining a meth lab. Harding was arrested on outstanding warrants, resisting/obstructing police, and operating and maintaining a meth lab.

If convicted, both the woman and Harding likely face serious penalties including prison time and fines. In Michigan, those accused of operating or maintaining a meth lab may face up to life in prison if convicted, depending on the amount of drug involved. Manufacturing methamphetamine will leave the defendant facing potential fines of up to $25,000 and up to 20 years in prison.

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