WESTMINSTER POLICE DEPARTMENT SUCCESSFULLY CONCLUDES UNDERCOVER DRUG OPERATION

WESTMINSTER POLICE DEPARTMENT SUCCESSFULLY CONCLUDES UNDERCOVER DRUG OPERATION


IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 9, 2010

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

1^st Block of Chase Street, Westminster

Mercedes NMN Pinero, W/F, Age 55

1^st Block of Chase Street, Westminster

Robert Jerry Seville Jr., B/M, Age 19

1^st 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

1^st 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

1^st 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

1^st 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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