The Chestertown Police Department showed the confiscated goods seized in Monday’s heroin bust, “the largest heroin arrest ever in Kent County,” according to CPD Deputy Chief William Dwyer.
CPD Chief Adrian Baker said Wednesday that “we are pleased to have made this [seizure], because it’s a substantial amount that is now not available.”
Lee Allen Haas, 27, was arrested at approximately 8:30 p.m on Monday at 300 South Mill Street, where he lived for the past year and a half. The house is at the end of South Mill Street, just off the rail trail. There were two other people in the home at the time of the arrest.
Dwyer told the Spy that heroin is in resurgence because laws on access to prescription pain medications have tightened. He said that heroin is available state-wide and that it’s affordable.
“It’s cheaper to go out and buy that much heroin than it is to get pain medication,” Dwyer said.
The officers suspect that heroin in Chestertown comes from Philadelpia, Wilmington, and many places in Delaware, such as Smyrna and Middletown.
Baker said that “we want to use this opportunity to get this message out for people to be aware of what’s going on around them and to help eliminate this stuff. This is serious stuff. People literally die from it.” He also emphasized that the frequency of crimes committed by addicts who need money for heroin are substantial.
“I think that we can relate a lot of our burglaries, our thefts…to heroin,” he said.
The Kent County Narcotics Task Force conducted the arrest after a month-long investigation. The Task Force was assisted by the Chestertown Police Department S.R.U Team, Chestertown Police Department uniformed officers, MD State Poice uniformed officers of the Centreville Barrack, and the Queen Anne’s County Drug Task Force.
Dwyer added that “it’s not easy for you to stop heroin without going through rehab. You get extremely sick — sick enough that people commit other crimes to get money to buy heroin, just so they can stay well.”
Lieutenant Steve Elliott, Commander of the Criminal Enforcement Division and Supervisor of the Task Force said that one problem is that “the nearest methadone clinics are in Salisbury and Elkton.” Elliott supervises eight narcotics task forces on the Eastern Shore.
The quantity of heroin that Haas seemed equipped to distribute was standard, according to Dwyer. Haas dealt about a “log” a week, meaning ten bundles of between eleven to thirteen bags. Each bag sells for about twenty dollars. That puts the value of the seized heroin at just over $4,000.
Elliott said that heroin use is not as easy to spot now as it once was. Now heroin has evolved to a point where it is easier to consume. Not everybody injects it, contrary to the common conception. This heroin would probably have been snorted or smoked, rather than injected.
Haas was charged with the possession of heroin with the intent to distribute, possession of heroin, possession of Oxycodone, possession of marijuana under ten grams, and the possession of paraphernalia. He is currently being held on $20,000 bond.
Anyone with any information on the illicit sale and/or possession of illegal narcotics is encouraged to contact the Kent County Task Force at 410-778-3744.
Petey Bestmom says
One correction: He was released on bond on 03/26/2013 according to the case file (Case No. 6L000012312) A Centreville bail bondsman as surety. Also, the total charges are seven (7) counts of CDS violations.
joe diamond says
Paul,
You are right. This is the size take cops would get from a HS locker. The loaded rifle = amateur. But look on the bright side. Thanks to the Patriot Act the cops can monitor all internet and cell phone activity related to this arrest…even the conversation between this guy and his lawyer. They can record license plates of anyone who comes close to him and monitor those terrorists also. Whoever supplied those drugs will want to be paid and that conversation could lead to bigger things. If this guy has a bank account it will be examined without court permission. If he owns the house he was living in or used a vehicle to move his drugs, they will soon be state property.
Big Brother will get him,
Joe
Petey Bestmom says
Paul, I too was surprised to see the 2nd story put the street value figure at only $4,000. Apparently, the guy did not have the “good stuff”, which is high-potency heroin which has a current street value of $100-$120 per gram. Since Baltimore is the main East Coast distribution point for South American heroin now (surpassing even New York) I was figuring on his 72 grams being in the $7,500-$8,500 neighborhood. Evidently this guy was using Mexican or East Asian product. Which also is usually cut much more (diluted) for retail sales transactions.
Still, any amount of unacceptable. Especially from a career criminal (repeat offender). Doesn’t the idea of over 200 bags cut and ready to go to market disturb you, even if it turned out to be of inferior quality? I have zero tolerance for illegal drugs and drug dealers. Wish everyone else in our community felt the same way.
I truly do not understand how certain people (not referring to you) can have such a cavalier attitude on a subject that is destroying our community and robbing our young people of their futures. I guess these same people would just dismisss any importance to the existence of meth labs or gangs organized activity, both of which have come to our community in recent years as well.
Keith Thompson says
There’s a difference between having a cavalier attitude and questioning whether or not our approach to the drug problem is working. I don’t think anyone denies the damage that drugs cause to society, but it is fair to ask if all of our efforts of attacking the problem via law enforcement have been effective in actually solving the problem. Perhaps a different approach is warranted. I see a parallel with the gun control debate in asking if all these laws we keep passing are actually accomplishing what they’re intending to accomplish? I don’t have the answers which is why I keep asking the questions.
Petey Bestmom says
Keith, characterizing all of the legal means that law enforcement may use to go after and nail these drug dealers as “Big Brother” activity strikes me as very cavalier. Or a very bad joke. Either that or our friend believes that the constitutional rights to privacy for criminals must be protected at all costs. I have inferred from this thread some people believe this case was too petty to bother with. I hope I am wrong about that.
However, if people believe we don’t have a serious hard drug problem here (forget weed & schrooms from the college kids)maybe they will change their minds if some punk desperate for his crack, meth or oxycodone sticks a knife in the ribs of his wife and demands her pocketbook while she is loading groceries into a vehicle.
Sadly, sometimes it has to hit home before they get the point.
joe diamond says
Petey,
Big Brother is a fictional character in George Orwell’s novel Nineteen Eighty-Four. He is the enigmatic dictator of Oceania, a totalitarian state taken to its utmost logical consequence – where the ruling Party wields total power for its own sake over the inhabitants. In the society that Orwell describes, everyone is under complete surveillance by the authorities, mainly by telescreens. The people are constantly reminded of this by the phrase “Big Brother is watching you”, which is the core “truth” of the propaganda system in this state. Since the publication of Nineteen Eighty-Four, the term “Big Brother” has entered the lexicon as a synonym for abuse of government power, particularly in respect to civil liberties, often specifically related to mass surveillance.
Big Brother is what we have. There is little you can do without some government agency controlling or observing your actions. Cavalier doesn’t summarize my position. In the name of patriotism we have the Patriot Act. It gives the cops great power. So we have a right to expect great things…and only a hope we can keep elected officials and law enforcment from becoming more than law enforcement. And yes, there is a great danger that, in the name of crime fighting (comic book term), police will be able to snoop through private lives and property to ferret out those guilty of something.
Finally, a little Sociology 101; If you go to the most crime ravaged street in America most people will be able to move about without interference most of the time. Less that 1% will ever have a confrontation with criminals. But if you ask the same population is they have a fear of criminals a very high percentage will report fear or concern. It is this fear and concern that produces the panic decissions.
. . . “they will change their minds if some punk desperate for his crack, meth or oxycodone sticks a knife in the ribs of his wife and demands her pocketbook while she is loading groceries into a vehicle.
Sadly, sometimes it has to hit home before they get the point.. . .”
BARNEY, DID YOU TAKE YOUR BULLET OUT OF YOUR POCKET AGAIN?….
….(Andy of Matberry for those too young to get it…TV Land)
Joe
Keith Thompson says
Petey, I’m not talking about Big Brother (I’ll leave that up to Joe)…I’m merely stating that I observe that treating our drug problem as a law enforcement issue is apparently not very effective since we still currently have a drug problem.
Joe Diamond says
Sorry Petey,
About the value placed on these drugs………….. call me cavalier but druggies kill each other over this stuff. They shoot each other and often miss, hitting children. It is illegal because it is addictive and can kill…it is dangerous. Try to put aside the display. That is for the school field trip.
AND REMEMBER KIDS…”just say …let me hear it??? NO!…GOOD KIDS!
Share your info about the meth labs and gangs with the cops.
Joe
Petey Bestmom says
Rubbish. The Patriot Act, rather than to be feared, has been immensely helpful to the DEA and law enforcement in general. If we could get enough judges on board to reinstate the stop and frisk laws that would also be a tremendous help in catching these drug dealers.
Wow, if anyone wants to get really worked up with their fears that we are losing our civil liberties, just go to the nearest airport and pass thru the TSA inspections. Now, THAT can be accurately said to be moving us toward the Orwellian society of Big Brother. Really creepy Orwellian, but deemed to be necessary. For survival. Hardly the same as comparing it to the investigative tools and techniques of the police in making CDS cases. With all your paranoid fears of governmental abuse of power and loss of rights you have forgotten the legal doctrine of probable cause still exists. So, do not fear, these defendants will not be deprived of that with defense lawyers crawling everywhere.
I don’t mind a bit seeing my tax dollars go to build more and bigger prisons. Besides bringing back stop and frisk also make the 3 strikes and you’re out law universal in all 50 states. No more mollycoddling these drug sellers with suspended sentences and probation. Throw them all in jail and let them rot there.
I don’t object to stop and frisk. Why should I? I’m not breaking any laws. It may be a little inconvenient or embarrassing. But that is a small price to pay, isn’t it. We may not be able to win the war on drugs. But decent people will do everything in their power to keep the pressure up and hope the dealers will decide to move their business elsewhere. Meanwhile, the social workers, liberals and other do-gooders can argue forever that civil liberties are being taken away.
Rubbish
joe diamond says
Petey,
I disagree with every word you have said…almost. But I gotta respect you for clearly and consistently presenting your point of view.
The Patriot Act was passed without debate right after 9/11. Homeland Security & their silly child, TSA, were created at the same time. The war on Iraq was launched in the name of revenge for the 9/11 attack, sort of. All of this was announced as a war on Terror.
But all the arrests have been for drugs. It remains to be seen if the great lapses in constitutional protections that have been removed by fast talk and emotional responses will have been worth it. Our constitution was composed to protect citizens from an overreaching government….exactly what TSA has been doing at airports. When the boarder patrol searches your car….you are within 100 miles of a seacost / boarder…..make sure your papers are in order. Do call them sir..they like it!
Any one else?
The cops get an attaboy for the drug arrest.
Joe
Petey Bestmom says
Seems the same could be said of you, Joe. The part about “clearly and consistently presenting your point of view”, that is. Whether or not that can be viewed as a positive, or deserving of respect, is somewhat subjective, isn’t it, though?
It was just around this time last year I recall when a certain local businessman with a downtown shop that catered to teenagers was arrested on CDS charges (Maryjane, not horse) and you leaped to his defense on this forum also. Remember? (By leaping to his defense I want to be very clear what I mean – you criticized the police and the manner of the arrest. In my world, that is leaping to the defense.)
Besides implying that the amount of drug recovered was too small to bother with, you also insinuated in the thread that the cops do this sort of thing all the time – just to be able to legally grab valuable property like houses and vehicles under the Orwellian-like law, er, excuse me, seizure law. Remember? Then one of the cops (J. Yianakkis, I think, sp? ) & a few concerned citizens spoke up and tried to educate you to what happens in the real world.
Apparently, none of it sunk in. Here we go again, a year later. Sigh.
(In case your memory isn’t so good, thankfully it is all cached on the internet for posterity)
joe diamond says
Not a problem, Petey,
The whole world of marijuana enforcement is past due for a change. You pretty much have my drift……….. “you also insinuated in the thread that the cops do this sort of thing all the time – just to be able to legally grab valuable property like houses and vehicles under the Orwellian-like law, er, excuse me, seizure law. Remember?”…..that is me…and those things happen. Persons are arrested and charged with drug possession etc….found innocent, not guilty or charges dropped and their property is seized.
There is or was federal money available to local cops to go out on the highways and look for drug couriers. Tail light out…bring in the dogs….and the cops get federal overtime money. Vehicles can be seized. Cash is forfeited All before trial. The Coast Guard boarded a yacht to find one marijuana cigarette in the shirt of a crew member in his private space and they siezed the whole boat.
My view, especially if you want to lock up drug dealers is to start reevaluating all marijuana arrests and start releasing the non violent offenders; those in for possession and use. This is not to say there are some murderous bastards in prison for crimes committed surrounding pot transactions…they stay where they are.
As drug dogs are currently being retrained not to alert to pot…(or my lunch)….pot…which is now legal in some areas…I’ll go find the drug seizure statutes I mentioned.
Joe
Joe Diamond says
Hereis a little summary:
United States
There are two types of forfeiture cases, criminal and civil. Almost all forfeiture cases practiced today are civil. In civil forfeiture cases, the US Government sues the item of property, not the person; the owner is effectively a third party claimant. Once the government establishes probable cause that the property is subject to forfeiture, the owner must prove on a “preponderance of the evidence” that it is not. The owner need not be judged guilty of any crime. In contrast, criminal forfeiture is usually carried out in a sentence following a conviction and is a punitive act against the offender. Since the government can choose the type of case, a civil case is almost always chosen. The costs of such cases is high for the owner, usually totaling around $10,000 and can take up to three years.
The United States Marshals Service is responsible for managing and disposing of properties seized and forfeited by Department of Justice agencies. It currently manages around $1 billion worth of property. The United States Treasury Department is responsible for managing and disposing of properties seized by Treasury agencies. The goal of both programs is to maximize the net return from seized property by selling at auctions and to the private sector and then using the property and proceeds for law enforcement purposes.
A form of asset forfeiture is roadside forfeiture during a vehicle stop. Usually enforcing State policies by Highway police, local law enforcement have built up seized funds and spent them with oversight only from local judges who sometimes benefit from the expenditures of such funds. The presumption is that travelers hiding large amounts of cash are transporting drug money. Often, the vehicle occupants are required to sign a waiver stating that they will leave the State and not return, and not attempt to retrieve their funds. Some complain that this law enforcement activity requires more oversight, in order to minimize the impact on travelers who have committed no crime, but wish to avoid further involvement with law enforcement agents, and so sign the waiver anyway. Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston, chair of the Senate Criminal Justice Committee is investigating the Tenaha, Texas Police seizures scandal.
Joe
[edit]
Joe Diamond says
IN FAIRNESS TO MARYLAND,
Further study produces the fact that Maryland (and Vermont) do not allow local police to capture and keep anything seized in a drug stop or arrest. The national total of $616 million dollars came to Maryland somehow as a share. There is, however, a federal lapse that identifies the good old boy system and instructs the feds to nor directly pass assets to state pals.
My only interest in this is the innocent people who have their assets seized. You send your kid to college with a car. His room mate borrows it for a drug purchase or even offers a ride to someone with drugs in their possession. The car you paid for and entrusted to your son is gone! The practice pisses off people who would otherwise join the “war” on drugs.
Again, this practice is being controlled. It is a sin to tempt honest people. Cops look at the treasure. They look at their crappy old police car.
Joe
joe diamond says
And there is this:
Forfeiture of property is a serious problem because it’s a money-maker for the government. And there are few things worse in criminal justice when it comes to the government taking away your property. In fact, that’s not justice at all, especially if you haven’t been convicted of any crime.
When it comes to forfeiture of property, cash and cars are two frequent targets. The government can assert that your vehicle was used in the commission of an alleged crime, or that your money was obtained as a result of criminal activity like drug distribution or white collar crime.
If you have been arrested or you’re the subject of a grand jury proceeding, it is important to contact a criminal attorney. I am defense attorney Jim Crawford. Since 1992 I have represented Maryland clients who have a lot to lose, whether it’s their car, their home or business, or the money in their pockets or bank accounts.
Defending Your Property Against Forfeiture/Seizure
It is my position that you are innocent until proven guilty – which applies not only to your freedom but to your property as well. If we arrange a favorable plea bargain or you are acquitted of charges at trial, the only person with a legitimate right to your property is you.
Unfortunately, the police or the prosecutor may have already taken it.
I’ve seen two common situations where the government oversteps its authority:
You are detained on suspicion of a drug offense. The police conduct a search of your body, car, or home, and seize the cash and other property they find. Later, you are released and never charged, but the police keep your cash.
You are under investigation for a white collar crime. A prosecutor obtains a grand jury indictment – freezing the assets in your bank accounts in the process – before he or she has even brought a formal criminal complaint against you.
Forfeiture of property is a widespread problem because it is on the rightful owner to bring a claim for the property after his or her criminal case has been resolved. Many people never do.
THIS FROM A LAWYER WHO IS READY TO GO TO COURT TO GET YOUR PROPERTY BACK.
Joe
joe diamond says
Here are some recent national numbers:
U.S. Marshals Service Facts and Figures, cont’d 2013
Office of Public Affairs
revised Jan. 10, 2013
http://www.usmarshals.gov
Asset Forfeiture
Value of assets being managed by the U.S. Marshals Service …………………….$2.4 billion
Number of assets being managed by the U.S. Marshals Service…………………………………… 23,112
Amount distributed to victims of crime and claimants in fiscal 2012 ………………………………………$1.5 billion
Amount shared with participating state and local law enforcement agencies in
fiscal 2012……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. $616 million
Equitable sharing proceeds distributed since fiscal 1985 …………………………………………………………………..$5.8 billion
The issue is not if or whether they are doing asset seizures, rather, how can innocent persons keep out of the way. Where are the protections to keep the cops from just seizing stuff?
None of this is a reflection on local lawmen….but the power is granted on the honor system instead of legal control.
Joe
Stephan Sonn says
Classic and profound dialogue Pete v Joe. Great media setting to explore.
Not that there is any excuse but I know Lee. He is a Good Old Boy in serious physical pain from back issues
Self medication may be at the root of all this. If there was distribution it seems more like an afterthought.
Maybe he is just another Bubba entering the mill but he is not a bad person whatever he is linked to.
Petey Bestmom says
Well, it appears you have spent considerable time to assemble all this data. Just a quick question, however. If the seizure laws under which property can be taken away are unconstitutional, how come no federal court has issued just such a ruling?
Innocent people, you say, are in danger of losing their cars, yachts, bank accounts, whatever. If they are innocent, where did the drugs come from? Somebody planted them to get them in trouble? Rubbish.
You, or rather the lawyer you are quoting, I can’t tell which, also say that it is up to the property owner to make a claim to get their property back after the case is resolved. ” Many never do.” Well, duh. Of course not, they are guilty, they were some of the lucky ones who got off on a loophole or a procedural error by the police.
The legal doctrine of preponderance of evidence in civil law has been around a long time. You seem to have it confused with the presumption of innocence accorded by the 6th amendment. If you think it is unjust to take away a drug dealers cash and cars I guess you also would protest the way drug dealers are removed from public housing as well. Convictions are not required; the Section 8 people are able to use the preponderance of evidence doctrine instead. Which is good as soft-on-crime judges and aggressive defense lawyers are way too often ending cases with PBJs – which legally are not convictions.
What’s not good is the ones who are tossed out of Woodsedge and Calvert Heights either have to wait out the penalty period before they can return to their free apt. Or, in the case of repeat offenders, they can fall under the lifetime ban. Which means these people are now renting from landlords in conventional housing that do not take Section 8 subsidy. Of course, now that they are having to actually pay rent every month instead of getting it free it means they must work harder at the drug business in order to keep up with their new expenses. Usually, the neighbors will soon notice the suspicious signs something is wrong at a particular house. But will they report it to the police or task force? Many times not – out of fear of retaliation.
I don’t know this Jim Crawford attorney. Do you? What you posted seems more like an advertisement for his law practice. Is his specialty drug cases? Gee, I’m quite sure we can take his word as the gospel truth, can’t we.
If you spent any time monitoring drug cases in district court here – I don’t believe that you do – you would know that one of our local lawyers who was recently brought up on ethics charges by the Maryland Attorney Grievance Commission (his trial is being heard in Q. A. County Circuit Court seems to represent quite a large number of drug defendants. Hmmmm.
JOE DIAMOND says
All right Petey!…………So many words so little time. I’ll use the big letters to respond.
Well, it appears you have spent considerable time to assemble all this data. Just a quick question, however. If the seizure laws under which property can be taken away are unconstitutional, how come no federal court has issued just such a ruling?
ACTUALLY ALL THIS IS RIGHT OUT THERE FOR EVERYONE….SEARCH ‘MD DRUG SEIZURE…AND IT JUST ROLLS ON AND ON.
THE FEDERAL AND STATE COURTS HAVE BEEN CONTROLING THIS STUFF. THE TAP IS BEING CLOSED AND THE ABUSES STOPPED.
Innocent people, you say, are in danger of losing their cars, yachts, bank accounts, whatever. If they are innocent, where did the drugs come from? Somebody planted them to get them in trouble? Rubbish.
THAT IS THJE POINT…THERE DOES NOT HAVE TO BE ANY DRUGS OR CHARGES………COPS FIND CASH AND ASSUME THAT BECAUSE IT IS BANDED LIKE DRUG GUYS (AND EVERYONE ELSE IN THE WORLD) IT IS DRUG PROCEEDS……..INNOCENT PEOPLE EVENTUALLY CAN GET THEIR MONEY BACK BUT IT IS NOT EASY…AND THE COPS HAVE DEPRIVED AN INNOCENT PERSON OF THE USE OF THEIR MONEY.
You, or rather the lawyer you are quoting, I can’t tell which, also say that it is up to the property owner to make a claim to get their property back after the case is resolved. ” Many never do.” Well, duh. Of course not, they are guilty, they were some of the lucky ones who got off on a loophole or a procedural error by the police.
ALL THE WORDS OF THE LAWYER ARE FROM AN AD HE POSTED…LIKE BAIL BONDSMEN AND DOCTORS…..TO DRAW IN PERSONS WHO NEED HIS SERVICES. IF YOU BELIEVE COPS ONLY ARREST GUILTY PEOPLE YOU ARE UNFIT TO SERVE ON A JURY…LOOPHOLES ARE CALLED DUE PROCESS. THERE ARE LEGAL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN INNOCENT, GUILTY AND NOT GUILTY.
The legal doctrine of preponderance of evidence in civil law has been around a long time. You seem to have it confused with the presumption of innocence accorded by the 6th amendment. If you think it is unjust to take away a drug dealers cash and cars I guess you also would protest the way drug dealers are removed from public housing as well. Convictions are not required; the Section 8 people are able to use the preponderance of evidence doctrine instead. Which is good as soft-on-crime judges and aggressive defense lawyers are way too often ending cases with PBJs – which legally are not convictions.
OH NO YOU DON’T. WE WERE SPEAKING OF APPLES AND YOU BRING IN A WHOLE DEBATE ABOUT ORANGES. THERE IS A FICTION THAT COPS CAN SUE OBJECTS…THAT IS HOW THEY CONFISCATE POSSESSIONS…THE OWNER THEN HAS TO PROVE HE HIS STUFF IS INNOCENT. …………..THE HOUSING THING IS DISCUSSED ELSEWHERE…….A COMPLEX ISSUE FOR SURE AND I DO HAVE A POSITION…….GO LOOK.
What’s not good is the ones who are tossed out of Woodsedge and Calvert Heights either have to wait out the penalty period before they can return to their free apt. Or, in the case of repeat offenders, they can fall under the lifetime ban. Which means these people are now renting from landlords in conventional housing that do not take Section 8 subsidy. Of course, now that they are having to actually pay rent every month instead of getting it free it means they must work harder at the drug business in order to keep up with their new expenses. Usually, the neighbors will soon notice the suspicious signs something is wrong at a particular house. But will they report it to the police or task force? Many times not – out of fear of retaliation.
TOLD YA…THIS IS AN ORANGE DISCUSSION……..HOUSING IS DIFFERENT FROM SELLING DRUGS ON THE STREET…GO LOOK.
I don’t know this Jim Crawford attorney. Do you? What you posted seems more like an advertisement for his law practice. Is his specialty drug cases? Gee, I’m quite sure we can take his word as the gospel truth, can’t we.
LIKE I SAID, I DON’T KOOW HIM EITHER BUT HE IS MAKING A NICE LIVING OFFERING TO RETREIVE CONFISCATED GOODS. HE HAS BEEN AT IT SINCE THE EIGHTIES WHEN THE COP WERE GIVEN AN OMNIBUS ANTI CRIME BILL. IT HAS BEEN ABUSED AND IS BEING LIMITED. THE IDEA IS BALANCING COP BUDGETS IS NOT TO BE DONE WITHOUT DUE PROCESS…IF THERE IS NO CRIME THERE CANNOT BE ANY CONFISCATION. …YES, SOME DRUGGIES WILL GET THEIR STUFF BACK,,,THAT IS PART OF THE SYATEM
If you spent any time monitoring drug cases in district court here – I don’t believe that you do – you would know that one of our local lawyers who was recently brought up on ethics charges by the Maryland Attorney Grievance Commission (his trial is being heard in Q. A. County Circuit Court seems to represent quite a large number of drug defendants. Hmmmm.
NO I DON’T SPEND ANY TIME WATCHING COURTS…………SOMETIMES I SEE THE LOCAL STATES ATTORNEY PRESENTING INACCURATE CHARGES AND BEGINNING LAWYERS GET GUILTY DEFENDENTS FOUND NOT GUILTY…NOT SO MUCH RECENTLY……ATTORNEY GRIEVENCE PROCEEDINGS ARE NOT PART OF THE CONVERSATION. DRUGGIES ARE ENTITLED TO A REPRESENTATION OF THEIR LEGAL POSITION BEFORE THE COURTS. COPS BRING IN THE EVIDENCE. STATE ATTORNEYS PRESENT THE CHARGES. JUDGES DECIDE. COPS AND TOWNS DO NOT GET TO CONFISCATE PROPERTY UNTIL THE LEGAL PROCESS IS COMPLETE……..EVEN IF THEY NEED OR WANT THE MONEY FOR CRIME FIGHTING.(COMIC BOOK TERM).
MORE LATER,….AS ALWAYS,
JOE
Petey Bestmom says
Joe says:
No I don’t spend any time watching courts…………sometimes I see the local states attorney presenting inaccurate charges and beginning lawyers get guilty defendents found not guilty…not so much recently……attorney grievence proceedings are not part of the conversation. Druggies are entitled to a representation of their legal position before the courts. Cops bring in the evidence. State attorneys present the charges. Judges decide. Cops and towns do not get to confiscate property until the legal process is complete……..Even if they need or want the money for crime fighting.(Comic book term).
Well, that pretty much tells me all I need to know. You acknowledge you don’t make an effort anymore to follow local drug cases as they wind their way thru district court prelim. Hearings.Interesting. Yet,you want to make your arguments by referencing data from the u.S. Marshals service and other national, not local, sources. Huh? And you accuse me of mixing apples and oranges? Egads.
Know what? I don’t give a rat’s arse about the drug problem (heroin) in the inner cities of the country. Or what property, or just how much of it, is being seized in the ghettos of NY, Chicago, L.A., Baltimore. Or at the other end of it, either – NY or FL luxury estates where drug “Kingpins” dwell. I care about here – chestertown – because this is where i live.
Before I take my leave here – here’s another observation you can retort: Only three (3) other people here (besides you and me) are sufficiently interested in this topic to post. I’m not quite sure if Mr. Harrow should really be included in the total as his post was so cryptic. Not sure if it is countable. (Just joking, of course it does, Mr. Harrow! )
Yet, the Spy can put up an article on the idiotic topic of the idiotic led sign downtown and 15-20 people will leap forward to post. Same thing with articles (or op ed pieces) about the decline of downtown and stores closing. Or parking. Or the farmers market. 20-25 People pop up like jack-in-the-boxes to air their opinions. Jeeez.
Sincerely hope this is a reflection on a holiday weekend timing for the very poor turnout in this thread. And not a reflection on just more of the apathy, or just sheer ignorance, too often exhibited by Chestertown residents about our growing drug problem. And failing to appreciate the dangerous work performed by the task force people.
Bye bye
Petey Bestmom says
Joe, I forgot to add: You want to know how to win the war on drugs? Easy. Use the Margo Bailey method. Remember when we had the open air drug market at Barker’s Corner? For years ? And the police had their cases tossed out of court because the judges kept ruling loitering was perfectly legal and all right? Remember?
Everyone wringing their hands – all those rich people buying houses in the 500 and 400 block complaining. What was the Mayor’s response?
Barker’s Corner shall be renamed Vickers Park. Of course! After all, that was the real name, oh, 300 years or so ago. Barker’s Corner no longer exists, ergo, drug problem no longer exists. The police, the newspapers, henceforth, Everyone shall refer to the corner as Vickers Park instead.
By official decree of the Mayor.
Is that to your liking?
JOE DIAMOND says
What, you forgot……I never do that.
Joe, i forgot to add: You want to know how to win the war on drugs? easy. Use the margo bailey method. Remember when we had the open air drug market at barker’s corner? for years ? and the police had their cases tossed out of court because the judges kept ruling loitering was perfectly legal and all right? remember?
well, the judge was correct…..Loitering isperfectly legal, people do it all the time in the park. Not only that…..Whatever when on in and around the uptown club across the street from an elementary school was also as legal as it gets….Until the owner announced his retirement…Then and only then did the choppers and dogs decend; Big drug bust…Evil uptown closed down!
everyone wringing their hands – all those rich people buying houses in the 500 and 400 block complaining. What was the mayor’s response?
barker’s corner shall be renamed vickers park. Of course! after all, that was the real name, oh, 300 years or so ago. Barker’s corner no longer exists, ergo, drug problem no longer exists. The police, the newspapers, henceforth, everyone shall refer to the corner as vickers park instead.
By official decree of the mayor.
That is how the lord intended it. When the evil loitering herd buy rock meth they receive long long sentences from a rightous government. When the good but slightly stressed correct people buy the powderd form of the identical drug they receive criminal sentences once in awhile but are / were decades shorter.
Margo might have got the barker corner cure from baltimore. They built a police headquarters on one end of what used to be called “The block’. The whores and drug dealers had to move…….Billy don shaffer was not letting them into the inner harbor and there were already enough druggies in fells point…………So when chestertown built a social services facility right on a drug corner i just smiled.
Is that to your liking?
god is in his heaven and all is right with the world!
JOE
Bill Harrow says
Yea I know lee too. And before he was selling heroin, he was selling high grade pot. It’s all bout $$$ with that cat.
Petey Bestmom says
Thank you, Mr. Harrow. I was beginning to think there are no Spy readers left who disapprove of drugs and drug dealers. Besides a lover of money as you say he apparently can be an ill-tempered fellow as well.
If Mr. Sonn would acquaint himself with the judiciary website instead of assuring readers that Mr. Haas is really a swell fellow who just suffers from back pain – he would know that dear Lee has been the defendant in multiple cases of domestic violence and peace orders, both in Kent and Q.A. counties. In one Kent case he was ordered to surrender all firearms. So it looks like he won’t be getting his rifle back anytime soon, irrespective of the CDS charges, if the victim renews the peace order.
Bob Kramer says
Pete says: no Spy readers left who disapprove of drugs and drug dealers
Bob says: Pete… you da’ man. 🙂 If I could have said it better, I would have.
joe diamond says
Ah good, Petey has found a friend!
Bob, you can do it….where do you see anything in here that even hints anyone approves of drug dealers. I am just an inarticulate mutt and cannot find it. Somehow, anyone who disagrees with Petey must be a suspect.
And Petey……….this guy Haas is not career drug dealer………..(I looked at his public record). He is not managing his life very well. He has had more contact with the police and courts that most people But it is all quality of life stuff…….He is not the poster child for lock-up-and-throw-away-the-key week. Your fixation on him is a little disturbing.
You guys could use a dose of something I picked up along the way….hate sin but not the sinner.
Joe
Stephan Sonn says
Joe
You may seen Lee at the deli. At 6 ft 4, he looks like a healthy farm boy and he might even scare some people
by his size and intense manner. I would be more interested in the elements of the case then vigilante banter.
I will not offer any opinion as to whether I think him capable of the crime as it too would be hearsay.
This crackdown on drugs is important but excess pursuit has presented itself too, in another instance,
Keep watching.
Bob Kramer says
Joe… an ounce of heroin in CofK is one ounce too much. I believe you have to be all in ‘against’ drugs in our community. Zero tolerance… and Pete leads the charge in zero tolerance.
Shouldn’t we be asking who is buying this stuff… among many Q’s?
joe diamond says
Bob,
We are all in “against drugs. ” Or actually against drug abuse. Mexico has a druggie for a neighbor. The problem has been that as dealers are arrested and taken out of action others come along almost immediately. Likewise, as users sicken and die or are arrested other users come along.
A very common situation is a dealer who also supports his habit by selling.
The debate is over methods. A subtopic is the list of drugs to control. Then arises the question of what to do with dealers and users?
Are they guilty of a crime? Are drug abuse and addiction symptoms of a disease.?
So you ask about finding the customers this guy has been supplying. Would you allow a lesser jail sentence if this dealer gave the cops his customer list? Would you grant a search warrant based on that customer list? How about beating the crap out of him until he gave up all the names? How about getting any States Attorney who fails to give him a long prison sentence out of office in the next election? If one of this dealer’s customers died of an overdose would you charge the dealer with murder?
Thoughts?
Joe
Bob Kramer says
Joe…
There’s heroin… and there’s all the rest… regardless of the intent or results or degree of legality.
There is a crime committed during each step… producer to seller(s) to buyer(s) to user(s). There is no rationalization that can justify heroin users as innocent victims of society. Each ounce used supports some very nasty folks. Any hall pass to anyone involved in the chain of events compromises any solution and promotes the crime.
And heroin use is not similar to anything else that may or may not pray on society. Personally… anyone arrested as a participant at any stage… production, selling, buying or using should be given a mandatory max sentence unless they plead guilty and turn in (under oath) who they deal with. No exceptions. The fact is… we’re a reluctant society as shown by the compromises that we do make… as the powerful white folks who make the laws don’t want the rich white kids in Cambridge, New Haven, Palo Alto, Anne Arbor, etc to have their futures ruined because of a drug conviction. I’ll let others squabble over the details of the other aspects of our drug problem in our society, but heroin seems like it should and must be an absolute discussion.
BTW, the Sheriff of the county said that ‘we have a terrific heroin problem in Kent County’ at yesterday’s budget workshop at 400 High Street with the CC’s. Further… Commissioner Fithian said… ‘heroin is floating around our schools’.
Stephan Sonn says
I may be too generous because of what i do not know.
Ron Moore says
From simply looking at the photo – he was a junkie supporting a habit.
joe diamond says
Ron,
That is what I saw.But those drugs came from somewhere. We can’t tell from the story how often he turned over his inventory; how many cusomers he had.. The whole story suggests more questions than answers. For sure this guy is not the first drug dealer in Chestertown and he is not selling to all first time users.
This is a clue!
Joe
Stephan Sonn says
You may have crossed the line Ron
judging by a photo as evidence.
I have it on very good authority that Lee
had a very serious back injury in youth
Which might have put him on legal drugs
While I appreciate your input
I do not see you as a fair juror.
joe diamond says
Stephen,
” possession of Oxycodone”………..that stuff is perscribed for pain, it is highly addictive…but it looks like there is a pharmacy bottle on the table. IF the suspect had a prescription for thos controlled, dangerous substance…….he is being mis charged…not guilty…innocent.
The bagged heroin is serious.
Let the system roll. His prior speeding tickets and domestic violence confrontations make him a public enemy. The cops without domestic problems will have to do the lock up. WE without speeding tickets will have to turn the key.
Joe
Stephan Sonn says
Joe
My problem was ine reference
to the mug shot junkie comment.
If Lee regularly had that look about him
it could be from more than one source.
I think it is time to stop talking about an ongoing case.
joe diamond says
Stephen,
Agreed……………Great minds discuss concepts and ideas. Lesser thoughts surround things. And there are those who insist on discussing personalities. Ongoing cases are like that; we can neither change them nor learn much from them.
There are some absent voices we might hear from. I await their signals.
Joe
Stephan Sonn says
Ron
Correction
Mug shot photo is not a fact just an impression
joe diamond says
Bob Kramer says:
April 3, 2013 at 4:22 PM
Joe…
There’s heroin… and there’s all the rest… regardless of the intent or results or degree of legality.
There is a crime committed during each step… producer to seller(s) to buyer(s) to user(s). There is no rationalization that can justify heroin users as innocent victims of society. Each ounce used supports some very nasty folks. Any hall pass to anyone involved in the chain of events compromises any solution and promotes the crime.
And heroin use is not similar to anything else that may or may not pray on society. Personally… anyone arrested as a participant at any stage… production, selling, buying or using should be given a mandatory max sentence unless they plead guilty and turn in (under oath) who they deal with. No exceptions. The fact is… we’re a reluctant society as shown by the compromises that we do make… as the powerful white folks who make the laws don’t want the rich white kids in Cambridge, New Haven, Palo Alto, Anne Arbor, etc to have their futures ruined because of a drug conviction. I’ll let others squabble over the details of the other aspects of our drug problem in our society, but heroin seems like it should and must be an absolute discussion.
BTW, the Sheriff of the county said that ‘we have a terrific heroin problem in Kent County’ at yesterday’s budget workshop at 400 High Street with the CC’s. Further… Commissioner Fithian said… ‘heroin is floating around our schools’.
Hey Bob,
We are looking at the same problem and I agree with much of what you said. I have attended a few too many funerals that would have been decades later if it were not for heroin and other abused substances. It seems that up to now America has used the crime and punishment model you summarized to stop this tragedy. It just has not worked. As you correctly point out…the children of the rich do avoid prosecution. Often they are sent to expensive facilities in lieu of jail.
I think, as you mentioned, we could get better results if enforcement efforts were directed to heroin and the other addictive drugs on the streets. I think it is also time to abandon the efforts to combine pot enforcement with these drugs. We can’t lock up everyone. And drugs get into the jails.
Finding addictive drugs in schools is very serious. That might be the place to start. But then we are forced to decide what to do about juvenile sellers and users. Perhaps it is at this level enforcement can be firm and universal. Using a treatment model that no user could escape might have a chance at the school level. Marijuana possession and use could be treated as bad conduct if there is cooperation to get at the supplier. We get to pick the battles we can afford to fight.
I don’t see a happy future with this issue. As it is, an otherwise valuable segment of American society is being discarded. Drug use eventually produces criminal activity to support addiction. The combination of the criminal and drug use history closes many areas of legal employment. Arrests don’t stop the cycle as long as drugs are in the jails.
There are not many clean and sober addicts and not many old ones either.
Joe