Chandler Sentenced For Drug Possession and Distribution

A Virginia man, arrested in May after police discovered 75 pounds of marijuana in the trunk of a vehicle in which he was traveling, pleaded guilty last week in Circuit Court to one count of possession with intent to distribute and was sentenced to five years in jail with all but two years suspended.

CHANDLER

On May 19, Maryland State Police stopped a vehicle heading south on Route 113 for speeding. During a search incident to the speeding stop, an MSP K-9 unit alerted on the trunk of the vehicle and 75 pounds of marijuana was discovered in two gym bags.

Two men were arrested including Darnell Kelley, 24, and Modis Chandler, 40, both of Newport News, Va.


Last week in Circuit Court, Chandler pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana and was sentenced to five years in jail, all but two of which were then suspended. He was also fined $1,000 and placed on probation for five years.

In December, Kelley pleaded guilty to the same charge and was sentenced to five years with all but one year suspended. Kelley was also fined $1,000 and placed on probation for three years.
www.mdcoastdispatch.com

Two Men Wanted For Delaware Motel Robbery Arrested In Virginia

NEWPORT NEWS — An armed robbery in the parking lot of a fast food restaurant in Newport News led to a high-speed police chase that lasted more than 40 minutes on Monday night and resulted in the arrest of four Delaware residents.

The driver, a 28-year-old GianFranco Minello, is charged with reckless driving and evading police. Both he and the front-seat passenger, 30-year-old Randy Rickards, are also charged with robbery, possession of cocaine, and conspiracy and firearms charges. The two passengers in the back seat, a 17-year-old female and 44-year-old Kevin Payne, are charged with possession of cocaine. The female is not being identified to the media because she is a juvenile.

Holly McPherson, spokeswoman for Newport News police, said Minello and Rickards could face additional charges related to other robberies in Newport News. She said both men also have outstanding warrants in Delaware.

These are the two men wanted by Delaware police for the motel robbery in Seaford, Delaware (Nov. 17, 2010) in which Kristen Shockley of Pocomoke was arrested. Minello and Rickards fled the scene before police arrived.
www.dailypress.com

Two Virginia Men Arrested In Delaware For Marijuana

BRIDGEVILLE — Two Virginia men were arrested on trafficking charges Thursday when Bridgeville police stopped their car for a traffic violation and found 10 pounds of marijuana in the trunk.

Jerome M. Middlebrook, 35, of Virginia Beach, and Antwon L. Robinson, 34, of Norfolk, were charged with possession of marijuana, possession with intent to deliver marijuana, trafficking marijuana, maintaining a vehicle for controlled substances, possession of drug paraphernalia and conspiracy, police said.

The men were stopped for following too closely and speeding on U.S. 13, north of Del. 18.

Police said that during the stop, officers noticed the smell of burnt marijuana coming from the car. A further search uncovered 10 pounds of marijuana in the trunk, police said.

Middlebrook, who was also charged with the two traffic offenses, is being held in the Sussex Correctional Institution in lieu of $19,000 bail. Robinson is jailed on $18,250 secured bail.

www.delmarvanow.com