Articles Posted in Drug Charges

On Monday October 29, two men were charged in Flint U.S. District Court with selling crack cocaine in the Flint area according to a news article at Mlive.com. The two men, who were not named in news reports, had not been indicted or arraigned on the charges at the time the news was released.

An affidavit filed by the FBI indicated that a confidential informant purchased crack cocaine from one of the suspects on numerous occasions. The affidavit also contained information that one of the purchases made by the informant occurred at a residence located in the 3500 block of Larchment Street; the home is said to be owned by one of the suspects’ fathers.

Upon executing a search warrant at the home on October 3, authorities allegedly discovered an undisclosed amount of cash, digital scales, and multiple bags of crack cocaine. The affidavit also revealed that one of the suspects admitted to selling cocaine over the past three years, and that he sold the drugs in order to support the mother of his unborn child and to purchase food and shoes. He admitted that his profits over a two to three week time period were about $100.

Both of the suspects are now in federal custody awaiting detention hearings set for November 1. A third man who has not been charged was also taken into custody by authorities.

Cocaine is a Schedule 2 drug, which means it is one of the most dangerous and highly addictive. Because of that, individuals who are convicted of possessing, manufacturing, distributing, or selling cocaine in any form (freebase, powder, or crack) face serious criminal penalties. When prosecuted at the federal level, those convicted often face even harsher punishment. Anyone who is fond guilty of possessing cocaine with the intention of selling the illegal drug will face substantial prison time along with steep fines. For example, possession of less than 50 grams with the intent to deliver will leave the accused individual facing fines of up to $25,000 along with up to 20 years in jail.

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According to a news article at Leader Publications, four individuals were sentenced to prison following a three-month long investigation into drug trafficking. The defendants, three men and one woman, allegedly trafficked crack cocaine in Niles and surrounding areas of Michigan.

Several agencies participated in the investigation, including the Niles Police Department, Grand Rapids DEA, Berrien County Sheriff’s Department narcotics unit, Michigan State Police, and the FBI office in St. Joseph. In the course of investigating the four suspects, undercover officers purchased narcotics from one of them, Harley Lamar Hatcher, at his Niles home. Two of the other suspects, Willie Earl Brown and Larry Glen Ford, were later found to have been delivering crack cocaine to Hatcher.

A South Bend, Indiana woman, Sharun Contrell Williams, was also involved in the scheme according to authorities. A search warrant was executed at her home on February 7; police seized money, cocaine, and a handgun.

The news article indicates that over the course of the investigation authorities seized 15 ounces of crack cocaine, determined to have a street value of more than $20,000. Investigations began in November 2012, when a tipster informed authorities of the alleged drug activity according to Niles Police Department Detective Chad Mitchell.

On October 8, 52-year-old Harley Hatcher was sentenced to 60 months in prison; he was charged with one count of conspiracy to deliver cocaine, and one count of conspiracy to distribute narcotics.

Larry Glen Ford, 59, was sentenced to 30 months in prison for conspiracy to deliver narcotics. Williams, 39, and Brown, 57, were sentenced to 60 months for conspiracy to deliver narcotics.

All four of the defendants were processed in Grand Rapids federal court.

Cocaine is classified as a Schedule 2 drug, one of the most abused and addictive in the country today. Individuals who are charged with cocaine possession with intent to deliver face serious criminal penalties if convicted, including a substantial number of years in prison, steep fines, and more. In fact, when more than one kilogram of cocaine is involved, the defendant may face life in prison and fines of up to $1 million dollars.

Michigan drug crime defense attorneys understand how aggressive law enforcement and prosecutors are when it comes to any alleged offense involving crack cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana, and other illegal drugs and narcotics. In the “war on drugs,” many innocent people are charged with crimes they did not commit, or face trumped up charges of intent when they were simply in possession of a small amount of drug for their own use.

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On Saturday October 26, Van Buren County sheriff’s deputies were in pursuit of two men, 24-year-old Jason Smith, and 26-year-old Matthew Durian, on outstanding warrants. Upon apprehending the men, it was discovered Smith’s cell phone was monitoring deputies’ conversations through an app which operated as a police scanner, according to a news article at Mlive.com.

A news release issued by the Sheriff’s Department indicated that deputies were in pursuit of the two fugitives in the area of Sixth Avenue in Bloomingdale Township when they witnessed the two men run into a field after exiting the back door of the residence. They soon apprehended the pair, both residents of Gobles.

Upon arresting the two men on the outstanding warrants, deputies heard their own radio traffic coming from Smith’s cell phone. The news release also indicated that during the arrest, Durian began pushing and kicking the deputies, although no one was injured. The sheriff’s office also revealed that upon capturing the two, deputies discovered methamphetamine and marijuana.

Durian was placed in jail for new charges of marijuana possession and resisting arrest, along with the warrant for failure to appear in court on a weapons charge. While new charges related to the scanner app on Smith’s phone will be sought by the sheriff’s office, Smith was jailed on one charge of methamphetamine possession, and on bench warrants which were issued due to his failure to appear in court on traffic violations.

Marijuana possession is a misdemeanor offense in Michigan, however individuals who are convicted may face penalties which include fines of up to $2,000 and up to one year in jail. News reports do not indicate the amount of methamphetamine Smith had in his possession; penalties for this offense depend on the amount of meth involved, and may include fines of as much as $15,000 and/or up to 10 years in prison.

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On Thursday October 17, Broderick D. Miller pleaded guilty to a single count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana in Flint U.S. District Court. Miller pleaded guilty after nearly two kilos of marijuana were discovered by authorities in his north side home, according to a news article at Mlive.com.

Court records indicate the defendant has a long criminal history which includes prior convictions for felony firearms, carrying a concealed weapon, drug charges, and fleeing and eluding police. In May of 2012, law enforcement authorities served a search warrant on Miller’s home. Upon searching the residence, investigators located two stolen semi-automatic pistols and several plastic bags containing marijuana in the kitchen area. The pistols were found under the couch; a charge of felon in possession of a firearm was dropped after Miller’s attorney argued that the pistols could have been placed under the sofa by anyone who had accessed his home, and due to lack of physical evidence by federal authorities as proof that Miller possessed the weapons.

Miller will likely be required to serve three to four years in federal prison when he is sentenced on February 18.

Michigan drug crime attorneys are highly familiar with the criminal penalties a defendant may face if convicted of crimes involving the manufacture and/or distribution of Schedule I and II drugs in Michigan. Depending on the type of illicit drug or narcotic and amount involved, some offenses will leave an individual facing many years or even life in prison, along with thousands of dollars in fines. Other consequences of a drug conviction may include drivers license suspension, community service, a court ordered drug program, and more.

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On Monday October 21, 53-year-old Marlon Gene Kelley was arraigned on charges of firearm possession by a felon, second-offense marijuana manufacture, and possessing a firearm while committing a felony. Police responded to Kelley’s home when the alarm system sounded in the late afternoon hours of October 18. Upon their arrival, no one was home but officers entered after they found the door unlocked. This is when they allegedly discovered a marijuana grow operation, along with one shotgun and four handguns.

Kelley eventually arrived at the home, and was arrested. Authorities claim that he does not have a medical marijuana card, and that he is a convicted felon. Because of prior convictions on felony drug charges, he was charged as a fourth-time offender.

If convicted, Kelley will face punishment which includes up to 8 years in prison on the marijuana growing charge. News reports indicate that he could face any number of years to life in prison for the felony firearm possession charge due to the fact that he is a fourth-time habitual offender.

Kelley’s preliminary exam is set for November 4; a cash or surety bond of $50,000 was set for the defendant by Muskegon County 60th District Judge Harold F. Closz III.

News articles claim that police discovered lights, fertilizer, and eight marijuana plants in Kelley’s home, among other items. When arrested or charged with manufacturing marijuana, it is critical to obtain the support and guidance of a seasoned Michigan drug crime defense attorney. While 8 years in prison is a substantial amount of time, many drug offenses leave the convicted individual facing a term of life behind bars.

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Authorities have recently discovered that an alleged drug ring in West Michigan was using Michigan’s medical marijuana as a “ruse” to manufacture and distribute marijuana across the state. It is believed there are approximate 27 individuals involved in the drug ring, most of whom live in Grand Traverse, Kent, Muskegon, Oceana, and Ottawa Counties according to a news article at Mlive.com.

The group, known as MMT or Medical Marijuana Team, claimed to provide marijuana to sick people. However, DEA task force officer Patrick Frederick wrote in a complaint that the group was using the framework of Michigan’s medical marijuana law instead to make money. Frederick came to this conclusion following weeks of investigation which included wiretaps on cell phones of the principal members of MMT. The operation to uncover the manufacture and sale of marijuana by the organization was named “Operation High Mileage.” Those who participated in the investigation included KANET (Kent Area Narcotics Team), the DEA, and numerous law enforcement agencies in the area consisting of more than 160 officers. In all, 500 marijuana plants and other assets (proceeds believed to be from marijuana sales) were seized by police.

In listening to the wire-tapped phone calls, leaders of the MMT boasted about having a “doctor on the payroll.” Federal prosecutors said in a criminal complaint that leaders of the drug ring believed this would provide a measure of protection, that the “doctor” would certify customers as patients who needed medical marijuana.

Authorities had been investigating the organization since August of 2012, and allege that high-grade marijuana was being sold for as much as $3,200 a pound. It was also alleged that the doctor the group had on board approved “patients” under the medical marijuana act, and was paid in cash, earning up to $10,000 in a single day. Additionally, members of the drug ring worked to convince family members to get medical marijuana patient cards so that the organization could legally manufacture additional marijuana.

DEA task officer Frederick stated in court records that the organization took pride in providing marijuana considered to be “high grade.” The organization owned In Do Grow and Plant Paradise, two grow stores in which members provide direct sales of marijuana to social users, other distributors, and customers. Most of the members of the group are medical marijuana caregivers, patients, or both according to police, who say intercepted phone conversations included members talking about the “doctors,” often referring to them as a “real” doctor or “weed” doctor.

In addition, when a marijuana manufacturing operation run by the organization was broken into earlier this month, a phone call between one of the alleged leaders of the group, Shawn Taylor, and others revealed that Taylor said he had $100,000 worth of weed stolen from him. The incident was captured on surveillance, as the group had an alarm system to protect the operation. Even though Taylor viewed his marijuana being harvested by intruders, no one reported the theft to police.

25 of the 27 suspects believed to be involved in the drug trafficking ring were arrested on Wednesday.

Michigan drug trafficking attorneys know the serious charges someone faces when accused of drug trafficking. While there is no doubt people do use the state’s medical marijuana law to engage in illegal activity, some who are patients or caregivers and who use or grow marijuana legitimately often get caught up in criminal charges. If it is determined the 27 individuals in this situation were indeed disguising their operation in order to run a drug trafficking ring, the punishment they face will be severe and may include a substantial number of years in prison, along with steep fines.

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On Monday October 14, 45-year-old Sherenia Parks pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance. According to a news article at Mlive.com, her plea will allow her to avoid prison time.

It all began on May 15, when Parks went to the Saginaw County Governmental Center to pay a ticket for parking on the lawn, according to her defense attorney James Gust. Parks was found to have a loaded handgun in her purse when deputies discovered it at the building’s front entrance checkpoint. Gust claimed that Parks did not realize the gun was in her handbag. It was determined by deputies that while the gun was not registered to Parks, it was not stolen.

Authorities at the checkpoint also found Parks to be in possession of a controlled substance, Vicodin, which was prescribed to another individual. She was charged with possession Vicodin, carrying a concealed weapon, two counts of possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony, and possessing a firearm as a felon. At Saginaw County Court on May 28, she waived her right to a preliminary hearing.

In exchange for her guilty plea to possession of a controlled substance on Monday, prosecutors will drop the remaining charges. A conviction on the possession charge typically leaves the defendant facing up to two years in prison, however prosecutors agreed that Parks will not serve prison time in the plea deal.

At court, the defendant testified that she had pleaded guilty to the drug possession charge due to the fact that she did have Vicodin, although it was not prescribed to her. Parks took a polygraph test which indicated she did not know the gun was in her purse when she entered the courthouse on May 15, although these results are not admissible in court.

Michigan drug possession attorneys know the serious penalties individuals may face when found in possession of Schedule 3 drugs which are not prescribed to the individual in possession. The penalties for a conviction on Vicodin possession charges include fines of up to $2,000 and up to two years in jail.

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On Sunday October 6, the Fife Lake Fire Department responded to reports of a fire at an apartment complex located at 206 Main Street. After investigating, authorities suspected the blaze was sparked by a light used in a large indoor marijuana grow operation, according to a news article at the Traverse City Record-Eagle.

Members of the fire department found that residents in two apartments were growing marijuana; upon inspection by the Traverse Narcotics Team and Grand Traverse County sheriff’s deputies, it was determined that marijuana plants were being grown throughout the five apartment structure, including in the basement.

The building sustained substantial fire and smoke damage, causing three of the residents to be evacuated.

One of the residents of the apartment complex claimed that he was growing marijuana for his own personal medical use, and that he had a permit. However, authorities found the number of plants the resident was growing to be more than allowed under limits set by the state of Michigan.

Upon inspection of the high-powered grow lights, authorities found that an electrical cord was worn, exposing bare wires. While investigations continued, it is believed the grow light started the fire.

In Michigan, individuals with certain medical conditions such as glaucoma, Crohn’s disease, and cancer are permitted to use marijuana and possess the drug legally, without facing criminal charges. While patients and caregivers must be registered, caregivers are limited to caring for five patients. Under MMMA (Michigan Medical Marijuana Act), caregivers may only possess 12 marijuana plants, or up to 2 1/2 ounces of finished marijuana.

The state’s medical marijuana laws are not clear; many individuals have a difficult time understanding them. While charges had not been filed against any of the tenants as of the time of news reports, investigations were ongoing, which could lead to charges. Unfortunately, those who believe they are in compliance with the law often face criminal charges, as prosecutors and police will make every effort to prove that an individual was in possession of more marijuana or plants than is legal for medical purposes.

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Recently, 42-year-old Greg William Keebler of Tecumseh pleaded guilty to charges in connection with operating a methamphetamine lab. In April, the OMNI III Narcotics Team obtained and executed a search warrant after suspecting the defendant was operating a meth lab at the Marlboro Apartments where he lived. Another individual, 34-year-old Belinda A. Gonzales of Adrian, was also arrested.

Upon searching the apartment, investigators found marijuana and finished methamphetamine. According to a news article at the Tecumseh Herald, they also discovered three shotguns, pseudoephedrine, chemical solvents, and other components used in methamphetamine manufacturing. Authorities also found homemade lab equipment, and claimed one of the shotguns found at the scene was loaded.

The Lenawee County Sheriff’s Office and Tecumseh Police Department officers assisted OMNI III with the investigation.

Belinda Gonzales pleaded guilty to drug house, meth possession, and meth lab charges in May. She was given a three to ten year prison term at her sentencing in May.

Keebler pleaded guilty to the charges on October 2. He is scheduled for sentencing on November 2, and remains lodged at the Lenawee County Jail on a $225,000 bond. For his guilty plea of maintaining a drug house and operating a meth lab, he may face up to ten years in prison.

Michigan drug possession attorneys know the serious consequences individuals face when charged with drug crimes such as cultivation or manufacturing of methamphetamine, marijuana, and other illicit narcotic drugs or substances. Illegal drugs are a serious problem in the state; police and prosecutors crack down hard on those suspected of possessing, manufacturing, or distributing drugs including heroin, cocaine, and even prescription narcotics like Vicodin and oxycodone.

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On September 24, state Sen. John Proos introduced Senate Bill 535 that if passed, will result in a Michigan methamphetamine abuse registry. Essentially, any person who is convicted of a meth-related crime would be required to have a prescription in order to buy Sudafed and other cold/allergy medicines containing pseudoephedrine typically sold over-the-counter. Pseudoephedrine is an ingredient used in making meth, a crime that seems to be becoming more and more prevalent in Michigan.

According to the Senator, methamphetamine is a big concern across the state, but particularly in Southwest Michigan. Pseudoephedrine, a nasal decongestant, is commonly used in the production of meth, including a method known as “shake and bake” in which meth is made in a soft drink bottle.

The amount of pseudoephedrine an individual can purchase on a single day or in any given month has already been capped through a law sponsored by the Senator in 2012. When purchasing products containing this ingredient, an individual’s driver’s license is scanned by the clerk. If that individual has already purchased the limit, he or she will be blocked from purchasing more.

Kalamazoo County had the highest incidence of individuals trying to purchase excessive amounts of pseudoephedrine in 2012; state police statistics indicate that between January of last year and March of this year, the sales of 18.6 million milligrams were blocked. If Senate Bill 535 does pass, those who have been convicted of a methamphetamine offense and who do not have a prescription will not be permitted to purchase products containing the ingredient.

Proos also introduced two other bills separately, which would ultimately leave those who purchase products containing pseudoephedrine for someone else for the purpose of manufacturing meth facing criminal penalties including fines of up to $10,000 and/or up to 10 years in prison.

Michigan drug crime attorneys know that meth manufacturing is a real problem in the state, and that it ruins lives, reputations, and careers. However, those who are accused do have legal rights which must be protected.

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