Michigan Criminal Lawyers Blog

Recently, a 28-year-old West Humboldt Park resident with a history of drug arrests was once again arrested after authorities intercepted a package at the post office. According to news reports at the Chicago Tribune, Darrell Crider picked up a package at a P.O. box in Thursday – but only after the package had been intercepted by officials with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, after some of the contents of the package had been removed.

Officials intercepted the package, which was mailed from the Netherlands and contained hundreds of “Molly” pills, also referred to as MDMA. The officials took out more than 300 of the 542 pills, then allowed an undercover U.S. Postal Service inspector to deliver it to the P.O. box where Crider would pick it up, unknowingly under surveillance. Crider picked up the package along with two others, then placed the packages in the back seat of a vehicle that was waiting on him according to reports.

Crider rode in a vehicle another man was driving, the two making their way to Crider’s home not knowing he was being watched. Minutes after Crider took the package into his apartment building, investigators were alerted that he had opened the package; this validated authorities’ anticipatory search warrant, which they served. Crider fled from the back door of the apartment upon being served, however authorities quickly apprehended him during the brief foot chase.

In December of last year, a “suspicious” FedEx package was intercepted by New York State Police officers; the package was reportedly addressed to a fictitious name, and contained more than 600 grams of heroin. Last week, search warrants were executed at the suspects’ residences and a storage unit suspected to be used by the defendants, 51-year-old Victor Rivera, 25-year-old Chayanne Rivera, and 31-year-old Blake Rivera.

According to news reports, authorities seized large amounts of cocaine, heroin, cash, and guns in the drug bust, calling the three men “major suppliers” and not small-time dealers. On February 22, father and sons were arrested and charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 280 grams or more of crack cocaine, five kilograms or more of cocaine, and 100 grams of heroin. The men were also charged with possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking.

Overall, officers discovered numerous firearms, drugs, and cash at the three residences where the men lived. Items found during the searches included an assault style rifle, a 9mm handgun and .357 magnum revolver, 12 gauge shotguns, an AK 47 style firearm, more than $375,000 in cash, ammunition, and more. Officer say they seized a total of about 8.3 kilograms of cocaine and half a gram of crack cocaine along with the 100 grams of heroin. If convicted, the men could face a life prison term along with a $10 million fine; the mandatory minimum sentence is 15 years in prison.

On Valentine’s Day, a Heflin, LA woman was involved in a rollover crash that ultimately resulted in her arrest. According to a news article at the Minden Press-Herald, 54-year-old Pamela Doyle crashed her vehicle at the intersection of Tillman Church Rd. and Highway 371.

A deputy with the Webster Parish Sheriff’s Dept. arrived at the scene of the accident, finding Doyle had a laceration to the head; she complained of head pain, and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. While en route to the hospital, deputies found a glass pipe with what they suspected was methamphetamine crystals on it. According to the police report, when deputies inventoried the vehicle they saw the pipe and meth in “plain view” in the passenger side floorboard.

Deputies also searched Doyle’s handbag and found a substance they suspected to be methamphetamine in a plastic baggie. They also reportedly discovered Xanax pills in her purse upon further processing.