Over 100 drug distribution charges in E.S. Va. police sting.

 

(Shore Daily News)

OPERATION BLUE WAVE STING

(View news story:)

Police make several arrests in Operation Blue Wave sting - Shore Daily News

Big Drug Sting In Crisfield

As Reported By WBOC.com

CRISFIELD, Md.- A wall of faces and names lined the wall near Crisfield's mayor and police chief Thursday as they announced the results of a year-long undercover investigation.  Chief Michael Tabor said 41 people have been arrested or summoned on suspicion of distributing heroin, fetanyl and other opioids in the small city, located in western Somerset County.

Mayor Kim Lawson said that's a staggering number given Crisfield's size.

"Those pictures on that wall in a community of 2,700 tell you how prevalent this problem is out there," Lawson said.

Tabor outlined how authorities were able to catch the suspects.  He said an undercover officer was hired last year to infiltrate the local drug "industry."  Tabor said the officer was able to "mesh into the environment" and placed in a local motel to pose as a drug buyer. 

According to Tabor, the "deep cover officer" was able to buy heroin and opioids from various dealers throughout Crisfield.  Tabor said many of the drug deals were recorded by video surveillance equipment.

Tabor said approximately three weeks ago more than 100 officers from Crisfield and allied agencies executed 18 search and seizure warrants at various locations.  He said the warrants were served to help corroborate evidence.  Guns and drugs were also seized.

But Tabor said what surprised him most in the investigation is what was learned about the drug dealers themselves.  He said the vast majority turned out to be on some form of public assistance.

"In my 38 years of law enforcement, this is the first time I've ever come across that," said Tabor.  "It's usually the addicts who are on welfare.  They're the ones buying the drugs.  This time we had 70 percent of our dealers were actually on welfare." 

Tabor said several accused dealers are suspected of welfare fraud after allegedly accepting payments for the drugs via EBT cards, which would be compensated at the beginning for the month for drugs bought in the previous month. 

Tabor said each of the accused dealers was reported to Social Services and their benefits were cut off as a result of the investigation.

Arrest Made / Investigation Continuing in Drug Theft

DATE & TIME: Tuesday, October 9, 2013
 Case # 13-0245
 LOCATION: Stockton, Maryland
 CRIME: Armed Robbery
 ACCUSED: Ecentral Brian Francois

 213 Cedar Street, Pocomoke City, Maryland

Ecentral Brian Francois

 CHARGES: Armed Robery, Second Degree Assault and Theft Under $1,000

 

 NARRATIVE: On Tuesday, October 9, 2013, Ecentral Francois was involved in a drug transaction in the Stockton, Maryland area. During the transaction Francois brandished a gun and forcibly took the drugs.

Francois was tracked through the license plate on his vehicle and with the assistance of the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office and the Pocomoke City Police Department was detained and subsequently identified by the victim.

 

Francois was arrested and charged with Armed Robbery, Second Degree Assault and Theft Under $1,000.

 

 Mr. Francois was taken before a judicial officer and held on $40,000.

 

The investigation is ongoing.

 

 

The Sheriff's Office would like to thank the Pocomoke Police Department for their quick response and action taken in locating the suspect vehicle in such a quick manner. It is these partnerships that keep this county as safe as it is.

 

Submitted:
Lieutenant Edward C. Schreier
Worcester County Sheriff's Office

BUSTED!! OCPD and Worcester Co. Sherriff Crack Down On Drugs

During this Memorial Day weekend, the Ocean City Police Criminal Investigation Division and Narcotics Unit, as well as the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Enforcement Team, conducted multiple undercover drug enforcement operations at various locations in Ocean City. These plain clothes drug investigations resulted in eight felony arrests, one citation, and the seizure of various drugs and paraphernalia.

The following people were charged with various drug charges by Ocean City Police:

• Shawn Matthew Gilmore, 25, of Ocean City, MD
• 17-year-old juvenile male of Stevensville, MD
• 16-year-old juvenile male of Easton, MD
• James David Brooks, 25, of Snowshoe, PA
• Danielle Clarissa Jones, 32, of Randallstown, MD
• Rodney Lamont Burnett, 32, of Baltimore, MD
• Thomas Edward Dalton, 27, of Bryans Road, MD
• Jeremy Adam Thomas, 27, of Welcome, MD

Police seized approximately $600 in cash, a 2002 Chevrolet Trail Blazer, a 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe, assorted drug paraphernalia, and multiple controlled dangerous substances.

Citizens are encouraged not to buy, use or sell illegal drugs in Ocean City and Worcester County. Police remind citizens that undercover officers will be actively ensuring the safety of residents and visitors this summer on the boardwalk and throughout the town of Ocean City.

Submitted:
Ocean City Police Dept.

OPCPD Traffic Stop Leads To 3 Arrests For Crack Cocaine

On September 26, 2012, at approximately 2:35 p.m. Ocean City Police patrol officers stopped a 2002 Nissan Altima with three occupants for a traffic violation in the area of 62^nd Street and Coastal Highway.  During the course of the traffic stop, the officers observed two occupants of the vehicle shoving an unknown object under the front seats.

The driver of the vehicle was identified as Larry Dennell Floyd, Jr., 30, of Berlin.  During the traffic stop, officers checked the status of Floyd’s driver’s license and determined he was suspended.  During further investigation, officers identified the front passenger of the vehicle as Marty Edward Tankard, Jr., 33 of Berlin and a rear seat passenger as Joel Lamont Lankford, 40, of Nanticoke, Maryland.  In addition, officers determined the object being shoved under the seats was an empty beer bottle. 

While officers were checking under the front seat of the vehicle, they observed a white powdery substance they suspected to be crack cocaine.  Officers also recovered additional suspected crack cocaine from the front and rear passenger seats.  Police subsequently arrested Floyd for driving on a suspended license and Tankard and Lankford for possession of crack cocaine. 

During the arrest process, Floyd became uncooperative and would not open his mouth.  Officer suspected Floyd was concealing illegal drugs in his mouth and at which point Floyd attempted to swallow the items.   Officers attempted to get Floyd to spit the items out of his mouth, however, Floyd continued to refuse and resist arrest.  Due to the level of resistance Floyd was exhibiting and the concern that he was attempting to swallow life-threatening drug contraband, officers deployed a TASER/ECD and delivered one drive-stun to Floyd’s back to gain compliance.

Floyd immediately spit out the contents of his mouth, which was determined by officers to be a large quantity of suspected crack cocaine.  As a precautionary measure, Floyd was taken by OC EMS to Atlantic General Hospital for exposure to ECD and possible CDS consumption.  Floyd was evaluated and subsequently released from the hospital in Ocean City Police custody. 

• Larry Dennell Floyd, Jr. was charged with:
• Driving on a suspended Maryland License.
• Possession of Controlled Dangerous Substance (crack cocaine).
• Possession of Paraphernalia.
• Possession of CDS with the Intent to Distribute (crack cocaine).
• Resisting Arrest.
• Obstructing and Hindering Arrest.
• Various Traffic Offences (Tickets).
• Marty Edward Tankard, Jr. was charged with:
  • Possession of CDS (crack cocaine).
  • Possession of an Open Container of Alcoholic Beverage in public.
• Joel Lamont Lankford was charged with:
  • Possession of CDS (crack cocaine).

All three suspects were seen by an Ocean City District Court Commissioner, Lankford and Tankard were released on their own recognizance.  Floyd was release after posting a $25,000 bond.

Ocean City Police Dept. Press Release

Longtime Crisfield Drug Dealer Is Sentenced

Pocomoke City Police Partner With Crisfield Police Department:

"Working together makes a difference".

*On May 26, 2011 Chief Kelvin Sewell, then Lt Kelvin Sewell along with Pocomoke City Police Officer Savage traveled to Crisfield MD to assist the Crisfield Police Department with an ongoing drug problem they were experiencing in the area of the Somers Cove housing area.

Chief Sewell and Officer Savage were able to purchase crack cocaine from a known drug dealer who was identified as Andre Fisher of Crisfield, MD. The purchase was made at the residence of Mr. Fisher who resided at the Somers Cove housing in Crisfield, MD.

On March 6, 2012 (today)Chief Sewell, Officer Savage, Lieutenant of Crisfield Police Department, and other Crisfield Officers appeared in Circuit Court in Princess Anne MD for trial. After the testimony of each Officer was given, the Defendant Andre Fisher was found guilty and sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Mr. Fisher then became highly upset and began using profanity towards the Officers and then spit in the direction of the Judge. Mr. Fisher was wrestled to the floor by the Somerset County Sheriff’s Deputies and then carried out of the courtroom.

(Fisher will serve 10 years of 20 years in prison. Ten years of the 20 were suspended.)

*Pocomoke City Police Department
Chief Kelvin D. Sewell

"Operation No Refill" - Ongoing Investigation Nets Arrests

GREAT WORK TO ALL DEPARTMENTS!!   Our communities are another step closer to being safer! 

According to Sheriff David Doughty and Sheriff Todd Godwin the Eastern Shore Drug Task Force, which consists of the Accomack and Northampton County Sheriff's Offices and Virginia State Police working with the Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control, Drug Enforcement Administration and Worcester County Md. Sheriff's Office, obtained charges on 43 individuals for 65 felony drug charges, 5 misdemeanors and one subject has been charged federally with distribution and conspiracy to distribute five or more kilograms of cocaine and 280 grams of cocaine base (crack).

Over seventy-five law enforcement officers converged on the Eastern Shore on October 6, 2011 to serve the indictments and arrest warrants and execute two search warrants.


This is an ongoing investigation that began in late 2009 with the DEA to target primarily cocaine distributors on the Eastern Shore of Virginia.


This step of this investigation was named "No Refill" due to the overwhelming number of individuals that have been charged with prescription drugs during this phase of this investigation.


The following items have been seized in connection with this phase of this investigation:


Over $5,000.00 in cash
Nine firearms
Two pound of cocaine
Over 169 marijuana plants
1263 grams of marijuana
Five vehicles
Seven grams of heroin
Assortment of prescription drugs


Total street value of the seized drugs is over 1/2 million dollars.


Agencies assisting in this investigation were the Exmore Police Department, the Cape Charles Police Department, the Parksley Police Department, the Onley Police Department, the
Onancock Police Department, the Hallwood Police Department, the Virginia Marine Police
Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries-Law Enforcement Division, the Virginia Probation and Parole and the Virginia State Police Melfa barrack.


The following individuals have been arrested:


- Angelo S. Stratton, age 39, of Onley, Va,, Charged with Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with intent to Distribute Controlled Substances, namely Cocaine.


- Ambrose A. Cuffee, age 28, of Birdsnest, Va, Charged with Aid and Abet the sale of Alcoholic Beverages without being licensed to do so


- Shane Smith, age 26, of Exmore,Va, Charged with Possess with the intent to Distribute more than ounce but less than five pounds of Marijuana.


- Zelma Kelley, age 58, of Melfa, Va, Charged with Possess with the intent to Distribute a controlled substance namely Hydrocodone.


- George Needam, age 64, of Melfa, Va, Charged with Possess with the intent to Distribute a controlled substance namely Oxycodone.


- Erik J. Burton, age 27, of Cape Charles, Va, Charged with Charged with Possess with the intent to Distribute more than 1/2 ounce but less than five pounds of Marijuana.


- Sylvia F. Jackson, age 44, Exmore, Va, Charged with manufacture, sell, give, distribute, or possess with intent to manufacture, sell, give, or distribute a controlled substance classified in Schedule VI and possess with intent to sell, give, or distribute not more than 1/2 ounce of Marijuana.


- Markie Davis, age 33, of Bayview, Va., Charged with possess with the intent to distribute an imitation controlled substance.


- Devonte L. Spady, age 18, of Cheriton, Va., Charged with sell, give, distribute, or possess with the intent to sell, give, or distribute not more than 1/2 ounce of Marijuana.


- Barbara Kamara, age 72, of Exmore, Va., Charged with possess with the intent to distribute Vicodin, a schedule II drug.


- Michael A. Davis, age 42, of Capeville, Va., Charged with possess with the intent to distribute Cocaine, a schedule II drug, second offense.


- Lethon J. Williams, age 33, of Temperanceville, Va., Charged with sell, give, or distribute a controlled substance, namely Cocaine, a schedule II drug.


- Robert Dillard, age 27, of Eastville, Va., Charged with sell, give, or distribute a controlled substance, namely Cocaine, a schedule II drug.


- Deloris Mccaskill, age 55, of Townsend, Va., Charged with sell, give, or distribute a controlled substance, namely Cocaine, a schedule II drug.


- Tommie J. McCaskill, age 50, of Townsend, Va., Charged with sell, give, or distribute a controlled substance, namely Cocaine, a schedule II drug.


- Angelo B. Jones, age 43, Exmore, Va., Charged with sell, give, or distribute a controlled substance, namely Cocaine, a schedule II drug.


- Richard L. Williams, age 52, of Painter, Va., Charged with sell, give, or distribute a controlled substance, namely Morphine, a schedule II drug.


- Joel N. Miller, age 21, of Hallwood, Va., Charged with sell, give, or distribute a controlled substance, namely Cocaine, a schedule II drug.


- Preston Dorsey, age 34, of Temperanceville, Va., Charged with sell, give, or distribute a controlled substance, namely Cocaine, a schedule II drug.

Source:  shoredailynews.com

Store Owner and Employee Charged With Possession and Distribution

(Sept. 30, 2011) Following an Ocean City Police raid at the Boardwalk shop May Talk, Fransisco Rico Hernandez, the shop’s owner, and store worker Blen Giday Berhani have been charged with possessing and distributing synthetic marijuana and paraphernalia.

According to the police report, Hernandez, 48, was present when Berhani, 24, sold and explained the use of a glass pipe and K-2 synthetic marijuana to an undercover police officer during a compliance check at the store on Sept. 13.

When police returned with a search and seizure warrant on Sept. 15, several contraband items seized by Ocean City Police included saliva divinorum, K-2, Bath Salts, controlled dangerous substance paraphernalia and several fixed blade fighting knives. Bath salts, also known as the drug MDPV, are stimulants that imitate the effects of amphetamines.

Hernandez was charged with possession of salvia, possession and distribution of a cannabimimetic agent, and possession and distribution of synthetic marijuana paraphernalia, according to the police report.

Giday was charged with possession and distribution of a cannabimimetic agent, and possession and distribution of synthetic marijuana paraphernalia, the police report said.

Both Hernandez and Berhani are scheduled to appear in Ocean City District Court for a preliminary inquiry on Oct. 14.

Source;  http://www.oceancitytoday.net/news/2011-09-30/Police/May_Talk_charged_for_contraband.html

Warrant Issued For Courtroom No-Show

SNOW HILL — A man arrested in a Pocomoke City drug sting has a $250,000 warrant out for his arrest because he failed to appear for court Wednesday.

Minaster Fate Nixon Wright, 55, of Pocomoke, was among more than 40 people caught into a joint drug raid in July conducted by county law enforcement agencies. Wright was charged in that sting with marijuana possession and distribution, and with selling it within 1,000 feet of a school. He was detained July 26, and posted $75,000 bond Aug. 2.

When he did not show for his Sept. 7 arraignment in Worcester County Circuit Court, Judge Thomas Groton ordered a bench warrant for his arrest.

 Wright was the only no-show as four other men facing drug charges from the same sting did appear in court.

Source;   http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20110907/NEWS01/110907023/WORCESTER-250K-warrant-issued-for-courtroom-no-show?odyssey=mod

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Worcester County Times
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Pocomoke City Drug Arrests - UPDATE

Many of us remember the drug busts that occured in Pocomoke City and various neighboring towns at the end of July 2011 into August of this year.  Thirty people alone from Pocomoke City were arrested and taken to jail.

That's where the stories and information ended for most of us.  A faithful reader and caring citizen of Worcester County took time to go through every name of  the Pocomoke arrests in the Maryland judiciary information, write the recent info,  and submit it to me.  And we appreciate it so much!!

Keep in mind that these trials are a few weeks away and there can be many changes.  Here are the most recent accounts: 

Pocomoke City Drug Arrests Update

Possession and Distribution Arrests-

Breon Ayres , 19 of Pocomoke City,  has retained  a public defender.  He is charged with 10 drug related offenses.  Jury trial is scheduled for 10/11/11

Patrick L. Schoolfield, 28 of Pocomoke City, has retained a public defender.  He is charged with 3 drug related offenses.  Jury trial is scheduled for 10/12/11

Javon T. Schoolfield, 25 of Pocomoke City is charged with 8 drug related offenses.  A jury trial is scheduled for 10/12/11.  An attorney appearance has not yet been noted. 

Richard Wayne Williams, 36 of  Pocomoke City is charged with 6 drug related offenses.  A jury trial is scheduled for 10/11/11 and a public defender has been reatained.

Donald E. Sturgis, 29 of Pocomoke City is charged with 5 drug related offenses and has retained a public defender.  Jury trial scheduled for 10/12/11.

Antonio L. Wise, 39 of Pocomoke City is due to be arraigned on 9/7/11 on 5 counts of drug related offenses.  He has been in contact with the public defender’s office.

Kaniesha L. Johnson, 18 of Pocomoke City has been charged with 5 counts of drug related offenses.  A jury trial is scheduled for 11/8/11.  She will be represented by the public defender’s office.

Martel L. Costen, 26 of Pocomoke City was charged with 3 counts of drug related offenses and has a jury trial scheduled for 10/12/11.   A public defender has been retained.

Minaster F.N. Wright, 55 of Pocomoke City is due to be arraigned on 9/7/11 on 10 counts of drug related charges.  An attorney appearance has not yet to be noted.



Honiss W. Cane, 40 of Pocomoke City is charged with 3 drug related offenses and has retained the services of private defense attorney Michael Farlow.   A jury trial scheduled for 10/12/11 has been postponed.  A new trial date has not yet been set.

Gabriel D. Hayes, 34 of Pocomoke City, has retained a public defender and is charged with 5 drug related offenses.  Jury trial is scheduled for 10/11/11.

Broadus L. Mason, 32 of Pocomoke City, has retained a public defender and is charged with 3 drug related offenses.  A jury trial is scheduled for 10/11/11.

Tamar G. Cutler, 27 of Pocomoke City is charged with 6 counts of drug related offenses.  A public defender's appearance has been filed and a jury trial is scheduled for 10/11/11.

Gregory D. Snead, 23 of Pocomoke City is due to be arraigned on 9/7/11 on 5 drug related counts.  An attorney appearance is not yet noted.

Eric V. Bishop, 55 of Pocomoke City has had a jury trial scheduled for 11/8/11 postponed.  New trial date is not yet set.  He is charged with 16 drug related offenses and has retained the services of a public defender.

Marcus D. Fletcher, 36 of Pocomoke City is charged with 9 drug related offenses and a jury trial is scheduled for 10/11/11.  An attorney appearance is not yet noted.

Devin D. Bryant, 22 of Pocomoke City has a court hearing on 9/23/11.  He is charged with 5 drug related offenses and is represented by a public defender.

Other Arrests-

Tyrone K. Nixon is charged with 3 counts of possession and a District Court trial date is set for 11/12/11.  An attorney's appearance is not yet noted. 

Sharon R. Benoit, 49 of Pocomoke City has been charged with a common nuisance for allegedly allowing her house to be used by drug abusers.   She is represented by a public defender and a jury trial is scheduled for 11/8/11.

*This is all tenative and can change*