Police find evidence of crack manufacturing, charge 6 in bust

When police responded to a tip that drugs were present at 927 Jefferson Ave. Friday, they not only found several grams of cocaine and six suspects, but also evidence that suggested that three suspects were making crack.

The suspects face up to 15 years in prison for making crack, a Class B felony, rather than up to 7 years for Class C possession, Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle said. The bust ended a one-month investigation conducted by the Cape Girardeau Police Department and the SEMO Drug Task Force, Sgt. Barry Hovis said.

In the last month, numerous complaints were filed from about five different sources, said Hovis.

Neighborhood Watch member Bob Whaley said, "members of the Neighborhood Watch have noticed lots of activity in the area." People frequently expressed concern about witnessing drug sales and large gatherings of people on Jefferson Avenue.

"This is an outlet for people to express their concerns, and in this case it worked pretty well," Whaley said.

Shortly after being informed that drugs were at 927 Jefferson Ave., officers executed a search warrant on Friday, Hovis said. Several individuals were found in the living room. One fled the residence out a side door, but was quickly caught.

Officers discovered a coffee mug of cocaine and an open box of baking soda, which is used to make crack cocaine, according to the probable cause statement. Two plastic bags with approximately 3 grams each of a white rock substance believed to be crack cocaine were found on a stairway. An additional 5 grams of crack cocaine were found near two subjects who were lifted off the floor.

Nine individuals were arrested, but three were released on no charges.

Brent S. Johnson, 19, and Anthony Bell, 21, were charged with one count each of trafficking drugs. Charles A. Wiseman, 32, and Dorothy M. Lawrence, 40, lived at the residence, and were charged with one felony count of trafficking drugs and one felony count of manufacturing drugs. Darrell D. Wiseman, 24, who fled the residence, was charged with a felony count of trafficking drugs and one felony count of manufacturing drugs. A sixth subject charged was a juvenile.

Bell is being held on a $100,000 cash or surety bond, and the other four are being held on $50,000 bonds.

Eric Hogan, 19, was initially released on no charges. An arrest warrant was issued on Monday for parole violation for two counts of possession of a controlled substance.

Johnson faces a preliminary hearing on Oct. 25 before Associated Circuit Judge Gary Kamp. He had already pleaded guilty to two counts of drug sales from the drug sting on South Hanover Street in July. A sentencing hearing was scheduled for Monday, in addition to a sentencing hearing on two charges for property damage that occurred in May. Circuit Judge William Syler postponed both hearings until Nov. 7. He faces up to 15 years for each of the three drug charges and up to four years each for the property damage charges.

jmetelski@semissourian.com