by Kate Shunney
An investigation into the sale of catalytic converters in Morgan County led to the arrest of four county residents on a variety of drug charges last Friday, August 12.
According to criminal complaints filed in Morgan County Magistrate Court, officers working with the Eastern Panhandle Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force investigated the purchase of two catalytic converters from Justin Wells, 31, of Great Cacapon at a residence on Hobday Lane in Berkeley Springs on Friday afternoon.
While Berkeley County Deputy J. Cardello of the Task Force interviewed the buyer of the converters, Morgan County Sheriff’s Department officers performed a “protective sweep” of the Hobday Lane residence and property.
During that sweep, officers reported saw a “large amount” of drug paraphernalia and packaging supplies consistent with drug distribution in plain view.
According to police, all individuals at the residence were removed and a search warrant was served for a trailer, abandoned house, all buildings and vehicles on the property.
That search resulted in the discovery of $1,651 in U.S. currency, a bag of suspected methamphetamine, drug ledgers, marijuana grinders with marijuana in them, vacuum-sealed bags of marijuana, a separate zip bag of marijuana, packaging products and equipment consistent with the distribution of marijuana and methamphetamine, and several electronic devices containing suspected information about stolen good and drug trade.
Four individuals were charged with felony offenses as a result of the investigation.
John P. Barrett, 43, of Hobday Court in Berkeley Springs was charged with possession with the intent to deliver controlled substances and felony conspiracy. He was incarcerated in lieu of a $25,000 cash/surety bond.
Danielle M. Dusing, 32, of Hobday Court in Berkeley Springs was charged with possession with the intent to deliver a controlled substance and conspiracy. She was incarcerated in lieu of a $25,000 cash/surety bond.
Bridgett M. Evans, 23, of Youngblood Road in Great Cacapon was charged with felony conspiracy. She was incarcerated in lieu of a $20,000 cash/surety bond.
Justin J. Wells, 32, of Youngblood Road in Great Cacapon was charged with felony conspiracy. He was incarcerated in lieu of a $20,000 cash/surety bond.
According to court records, Deputy Bradley Knotts was the arresting officer in the case. He was assisted by Chief Deputy Johnnie Walter, Cpl. Luke Shambaugh, Deputy Burkholder, Deputy T. Link and Sheriff K.C. Bohrer, in addition to Berkeley County Deputies Cardello and Heagy.
