Man accused of trafficking drugs with children present

0

A Washington C.H. man is facing multiple felony charges for allegedly transporting packages of heroin, methamphetamine, crack cocaine and marijuana while three juveniles were also inside of his vehicle.

Donald Z. Carson, 38, of 1019 S. Hinde St., is charged with four counts of trafficking drugs, three counts of endangering children, selling drug paraphernalia, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He has a preliminary hearing scheduled for today in Washington C.H. Municipal Court.

At around 1 a.m. Feb. 27, a Washington Police Department officer spotted a vehicle parked at the rear of a Washington Avenue residence where there have been numerous complaints of drug activity and a recent drug overdose. Officer Derek Pfeifer observed a man get into the vehicle and depart the residence, according to reports.

While turning onto South Elm Street, the driver reportedly made the turn wide, drove left of center and proceeded northbound on South Elm while driving on the center dividing line. Pfeifer made a traffic stop on the vehicle and identified the driver as Carson III.

“While speaking to Mr. Carson I could detect a strong odor of burnt marijuana coming from inside the vehicle,” Pfeifer wrote in his report. “I asked Mr. Carson if he had recently smoked marijuana and he stated that he had not. There were three female juveniles in the vehicle that also denied smoking marijuana. Two of the juveniles were 13 years of age and one was 14 years of age.”

Pfeifer informed Carson that he was going to search the vehicle due to the odor of burnt marijuana and asked all of the occupants to step outside. As the front passenger seat door opened, Pfeifer said he observed a small Crown Royal bag on the floorboard between the seat and the door.

According to reports, the bag contained four plastic baggies, each containing a suspected illegal narcotic that later field tested positive for meth, crack cocaine, heroin and marijuana. Eight small snap-seal baggies were also located that contained approximately .3 grams of crack cocaine each, police said. Seven more empty baggies were also located.

Pfeifer wrote in his report that the front seat passenger, Carson’s 13-year-old daughter, admitted that Carson gave her the bag “to hide” when he initiated the traffic stop. The juvenile told police that she “panicked” and “didn’t know what to do,” so she hid it, according to reports. She also said she didn’t know what was inside the bag.

Carson allegedly admitted that the bag was his but would not admit to handing it to his daughter. A search of Carson’s person found $581 in cash, police said.

Of the four counts of trafficking drugs filed against Carson, two are felonies of the fourth degree and two are third-degree felonies. The degree for each count was enhanced due to the presence of juveniles in the vehicle, police said. Also, Carson was stopped next to Washington Middle School and at the Washington Avenue residence, which is within the vicinity of a school.

Carson III
http://www.recordherald.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2017/03/web1_MUGSHOTS_34356723.jpgCarson III

By Ryan Carter

[email protected]

Reach Ryan Carter at 740-313-0352 or on Twitter @rywica

No posts to display