TORONTO - Three additional suspects have been charged in connection with one of the largest drug busts ever at Whispering Hills apartment complex.
A search warrant executed Monday evening at Apartment 55, 901 Bank St. resulted in a seizure by police of 5 pounds of marijuana, a large amount of crack cocaine, cash, three loaded firearms and a vehicle, according to City Police. Those charged Tuesday by the Jefferson County prosecutor include Victoria D. Webb, 24, Apartment 55, 901 Bank St., felony trafficking in crack cocaine in the presence of a juvenile, felony possession of crack cocaine, felony possession of marijuana, two counts child endangerment, all with gun specifications; Tia N. Pardell, 18, 380 N. Shady Lane, East Liverpool, felony trafficking in crack cocaine, felony possession of crack cocaine and two counts child endangerment; and Brent E. King, 24, no known address, three counts felony trafficking in crack cocaine within 1,000 feet of a school and in the presence of a juvenile and felony possession of crack cocaine, according to Capt. Rick Parker of City Police. All suspects currently are in the Jefferson County jail with no bond, Parker added.
Also charged in conjunction with the investigation after a separate raid on Apartment 40 Monday were Kyle D. Ellison, 27, 715 N. Third St., two counts of child endangerment; and Carrie Jo Thomas, 24 of 901 Bank St., two counts of child endangerment and one count of permitting drug abuse, according to Parker.
"Drug deals in crack cocaine were made at the residence of Thomas with a children present along with Mr. Ellison, the biological father of Ms. Thomas' children," said Parker.
The raid at the apartment complex was conducted by City Police, the Jefferson County Drug Task Force and the Jefferson County sheriff.
"(The suspects) at Apartment 55 kept their alleged drug-dealing low profile, only selling at nights. All the (controlled) buys were going out the back door," said City Police Chief Randy Henry.
The minor children were processed by the Jefferson County (Department of Job and Family Services) Children Services Division, and the investigation is continuing, according to Henry.
