A nursery in a Galbreath Street home apparently did double duty.
According to New Castle police, not only was it an infant’s bedroom, but it also served as a facility for nurturing marijuana plants.
In fact, police referred to the closet in the baby’s room as a “sophisticated indoor marijuana grow operation.”
The New Castle Police Department’s Narcotics Bureau executed a search warrant yesterday at 427 Galbreath St., where officers uncovered various drugs, paraphernalia, weapons and electronic devices.
The drug sweep was in cooperation with the Lawrence County District Attorney’s Drug Task Force, the state Attorney General, Drug Enforcement Administration and the Pennsylvania State Police.
At the residence, officers located Clent Carrington, David Quear, two male juveniles and one female infant. The juveniles were released to their parents. The baby, who was found sleeping in her crib, was turned over to a grandparent.
According to the magisterial judge court docket this morning, charges have not been file yet.
The police seized four live marijuana plants, approximately 3 feet tall, from the baby’s closet; six plastic bags of marijuana packaged for sale; about 30 grams of suspected crack cocaine; a loaded Ruger 9mm handgun with serial numbers removed; seven digital weighing scales with suspected cocaine residue; three portable police radio scanners; a video surveillance camera and monitor; miscellaneous narcotics paraphernalia and $239.
Police said the investigation continues.
http://www.ncnewsonline.com/archivesearch/local_story_364094638.html
Shenango man indicted on porn charge
A federal grand jury on Tuesday indicted a Shenango Township resident on a charge of possessing child pornography.
Todd D. Covert, 46, of 710 Harmony Baptist Road was named in the one-count indictment. According to the Pennsylvania State Police, which took part in the investigation, Covert reportedly possessed child pornography on July 8, 2009.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Pittsburgh announced the charge yesterday.
An undercover investigation by the state police’s Computer Crime Unit led to the charge.
An arraignment date for Covert was not provided.
http://www.ncnewsonline.com/archivesearch/local_story_353093213.html
Todd D. Covert, 46, of 710 Harmony Baptist Road was named in the one-count indictment. According to the Pennsylvania State Police, which took part in the investigation, Covert reportedly possessed child pornography on July 8, 2009.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Pittsburgh announced the charge yesterday.
An undercover investigation by the state police’s Computer Crime Unit led to the charge.
An arraignment date for Covert was not provided.
http://www.ncnewsonline.com/archivesearch/local_story_353093213.html
Incoming DA Can't Try Boy, 12, In Pregnant Slaying
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- A newly elected district attorney can't try a 12-year-old New Castle boy accused of killing his father's pregnant fiancee.
Attorney Joshua Lamancusa is recusing himself because he gave the boy's father legal advice shortly after the boy was accused of shooting Kenzie Marie Houk, 26, on Feb. 20, killing her and her unborn son as she lay in bed.
Lamancusa was elected Lawrence County district attorney in November and takes office on Jan. 4.
Channel 11 News learned that Lamancusa knew the conflict of interest existed even before he won the election, which is why he sent a letter to the Pennsylvania Bar Association's ethics department highlighting the issue.
The state attorney general will now prosecute Jordan Brown, of New Galilee. A Jan. 29 hearing will determine whether the boy will be tried as a juvenile or an adult.
If he's tried as an adult, Brown faces up to life in prison without parole. If the case is moved to juvenile court, any punishment would end when he turns 21.
Attorney Joshua Lamancusa is recusing himself because he gave the boy's father legal advice shortly after the boy was accused of shooting Kenzie Marie Houk, 26, on Feb. 20, killing her and her unborn son as she lay in bed.
Lamancusa was elected Lawrence County district attorney in November and takes office on Jan. 4.
Channel 11 News learned that Lamancusa knew the conflict of interest existed even before he won the election, which is why he sent a letter to the Pennsylvania Bar Association's ethics department highlighting the issue.
The state attorney general will now prosecute Jordan Brown, of New Galilee. A Jan. 29 hearing will determine whether the boy will be tried as a juvenile or an adult.
If he's tried as an adult, Brown faces up to life in prison without parole. If the case is moved to juvenile court, any punishment would end when he turns 21.