WESTMINSTER POLICE DEPARTMENT SUCCESSFULLY CONCLUDES UNDERCOVER DRUG OPERATION
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
During the month of May, 2010 investigators with the Westminster Police Department Narcotics Section began compiling intelligence regarding the distribution of illegal drugs in the downtown area of Westminster. During the course of this investigation an undercover police officer was utilized to identify and make a series of hand-to-hand purchases of illegal drugs directly from a number of suspects. As a result of this 6-week undercover investigation, five (5) Grand Jury Indictments were obtained and served for the felonious distribution of illegal drugs to the undercover officer. Additionally, nine (9) search and seizure warrants were obtained and executed – each relating to the illegal sale and possession of drugs. A total of ten (10) individuals were arrested during the month of July pursuant to this investigation. It should be noted that an undercover police officer employed by the Frederick Police Department was utilized to conduct the undercover drug purchases here in Westminster – this accomplished under a Memoranda of Understanding between the two police agencies.
The following individuals were arrested on Grand Jury Indictments secured as a result of this investigation:
Christopher Travis Aponte, B/M, Age 21
1st Block of Chase Street, Westminster
Mercedes NMN Pinero, W/F, Age 55
1st Block of Chase Street, Westminster
Robert Jerry Seville Jr., B/M, Age 19
1st Block of W. George Street, Westminster
**Mr. Seville will be prosecuted as a subsequent offender based upon a prior conviction on drug distribution charges. He is therefore eligible for a 10-year minimum mandatory sentence.
Kenya Mamawaltee Butler, B/M, Age 30
4000 Block of Fernhill Avenue, Baltimore
Jean Kesnel Marcelin, B/M, Age 69
3100 Block of Main Street, Manchester
Search warrants were obtained and served at the following locations during the course of this investigation.
1) July 8, 2010 at 381 Buck Cash Drive in Westminster
Arrested:
Tiffany Rochelle Rheubottom, W/F, Age 26
300 Block of Buck Cash Drive, Westminster
Charges: Possess CDS HEROIN
Possess CDS MARIJUANA
Possess CDS paraphernalia (2 counts)
2) July 8, 2010 at 10 Carroll Street, Apt. 2, in Westminster
Arrested:
Shawn David Ellis Jr., W/M, Age 26
1st Block of Carroll Street, Westminster
Charges: Possess CDS CRACK/COCAINE
Possess CDS paraphernalia
3) July 8, 2010 at 19 Middle Grove Court West in Westminster
No evidence seized or arrests made.
4) July 23, 2010 at 13 Chase Street, Apartment C, in Westminster
Arrested:
Mercedes Pinero and Christopher Aponte (see indictment information above). Additional charges are pending.
Jonathan Hernandez, W/M, Age 26
1st Block of Chase Street, Westminster
Charges: Possess CDS MARIJUANA
Possess CDS paraphernalia
Krista Jennette Green, B/F, Age 22
800 Block of S. Main Street, Hampstead
Charges: Possess CDS MARIJUANA
Possess CDS paraphernalia
5) July 28, 2010 at 13 Chase Street, Apartment F, in Westminster
Arrested:
Robert Seville Jr. (see indictment information above). Additional charges are pending.
Tina Marie Philburn, W/F, Age 52
1st Block of Chase Street, Westminster
Charges: Possess CDS CRACK/COCAINE
Possess CDS paraphernalia
6) July 28, 2010 at 37 W. George Street, Room #1, in Westminster
Drug paraphernalia, U.S. currency and documentation seized. No arrests were made at this location relating to this investigation.
7) July 29, 2010 at 3128 Main Street, Apartment C, in Manchester (both residence and 1994 Ford vehicle were searched pursuant to search warrants)
Arrested:
Jean Marcelin (see indictment information above). Additional charges pending.
8) July 29, 2010 at PNC Bank, 132 West Main Street in Westminster
This search warrant involved the seizure of monies for forfeiture. These funds are believed to be the proceeds derived from the illegal distribution of drugs.
Additionally, the following individual was arrested on July 23, 2010 on a parking lot along East Main Street in Westminster immediately after he sold drugs to an undercover police officer.
Kenya Butler (see indictment above). Additional charges are pending.
The following property and evidence was seized during the course of this investigation:
U.S. currency seized for forfeiture: $11,031.69
Crack cocaine: Approx. 19.1 grams
Percocet: 4 pills
Hydrocodone: 8 pills
Oxycontin: 18 pills
Chief Jeff Spaulding is very pleased with the outcome of this investigation. According to Chief Spaulding, “this investigation clearly demonstrates our ongoing commitment to ridding our streets of those who would deal and use illegal drugs in our community. They should be warned that the person they are selling to could well be an undercover officer. I wish to express my sincere thanks to Chief Kim Dine of the Frederick Police Department and his capable staff for their assistance with this investigation. Interagency cooperation, such as that demonstrated in this case, is essential if we are to be successful in these times of stretched resources and lean budgets.”
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