IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Police make drugs, weapons bust in Linton
By Andrea McCann, staff
writer
Federal and
state search warrants were served Wednesday on property owned by Mark E. Green,
48, Linton, stemming from a February arrest when marijuana and paraphernalia
were found in his car.
Green had a
1995 charge of possession of marijuana and of a sawed-off shotgun, making the
new marijuana possession charge a Class D felony. In
addition to the drug-related items, various calibers of ammunition were
discovered in his vehicle.
"It's a
federal offense for a convicted felon to possess firearms," said Linton
Police Chief Keith McDonald, so the ammunition caught the arresting officer's
attention.
Since it's a
federal offense, McDonald said, the Linton Police Department initiated contact
with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for assistance
with a weapons search. ATF officers from the
Altogether,
they found more than 25 firearms, including a sawed-off, high-powered rifle and
several rounds of ammunition.
"That
bumps his federal offense to the maximum level," McDonald said ATF told
him.
He said ATF
officials expect to file federal charges against Green, not just for possession
of firearms by a convicted felon, but also for several other federal weapons
violations.
McDonald
said LPD had surveillance on Green's home near Third and I streets northwest
prior to the warrants being served. He said Green left just before ATF was
prepared to serve the warrant, so LPD stopped him and brought him back to the
house. McDonald said Green and Ricky L. Miller, 46, who was staying at the
home, were present during the search and were
cooperative.
"While
searching Green's home for weapons and ammunition, they found a crack pipe and
also located residue of narcotics," McDonald said.
LPD filed
for and received
"Several
drug-related items were located throughout the two properties, including
methamphetamine, marijuana, controlled substances, and paraphernalia,"
McDonald said.
"This
investigation is continuing, and more arrests are expected."
All LPD
officers and some reserves participated in the searches. McDonald
said such a large undertaking takes a massive amount of coordination and work
to gather, photograph and log evidence.
Green was
arrested on preliminary charges including two counts of possession of
methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a public school (B felony), two counts of
maintaining a common nuisance (D felony), two counts of possession of marijuana
with a prior conviction (D felony), and two counts of possession of
paraphernalia (A misdemeanor).
Miller was
arrested on preliminary charges including possession of methamphetamine within
1,000 feet of a public school (B felony), maintaining a common nuisance (D
felony), possession of marijuana (A misdemeanor), and possession of
paraphernalia (A misdemeanor).
Miller is
wanted on an outstanding Florida warrant, and the
state has indicated it'll extradite him.
Each Class B
felony carries a term of six to 20 years in prison; each Class D felony carries
a prison term of six months to three years; and each Class A misdemeanor is
punishable by up to one year in prison. The maximum fine for any felony is
$10,000 each, and the maximum fine for an A misdemeanor is $5,000.
Green is an
employee of Linton Municipal Utilities, but he's been on sick leave from the
city since June of last year. He was a meter reader, and as such, has been
required to participate in mandatory drug testing throughout his employment.
Mayor Tom
Jones could not comment specifically about Green, but he said he's worked
diligently to hire quality employees who follow personnel requirements and
adhere to state and federal laws. In addition, he said he's encouraged the LPD
to rid the community of drug problems.
"Not
following those rules and laws of the state and federal government will lead to
disciplinary action," he said.
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