Pubdate: Wed, 30 Apr 2003
Source: Big Sandy News, The (KY)
Copyright: 2003 The Big Sandy News
Contact:  http://www.bigsandynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1975

COPS SEIZE DRUG CASE BOND CASH

PAINTSVILLE - A local drug trafficking case took an odd and costly twist 
this week after an execution of a search warrant at the regional jail and 
the confiscation of $50,000 in cash - the bond money posted for the release 
of two suspects accused of selling marijuana. Sheriff Bill Witten and 
deputies executed the search warrant at the jail on Monday and seized 
$25,000 cash bonds for each of the two suspects - Edgar L. Castle and Tonya 
L. Morris, both of Wittensville. Authorities have indicated that the origin 
of the bond money is a mystery, but the matter is currently under 
investigation by the Johnson County Sheriff's Department and unspecified 
state and federal agencies. Authorities apparently suspect the cash is 
itself related to the illicit drug trade, and they reportedly have 
questions about how the people who posted the amounts came to have so much 
cash at their disposal. No charges have been filed against anyone else, 
however. Castle and Morris were arrested last Wednesday after a controlled 
drug buy was reportedly monitored by police, who confiscated about 
two-and-a-half pounds of processed marijuana - which was estimated to have 
a street value of about $7,500. Also confiscated in the raid of the 
couple's Shady Lane residence were several firearms, a new four-wheeler, a 
truck, surveillance equipment and various drug-related items. Castle and 
Morris were each charged with trafficking more than eight ounces of 
marijuana, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. 
Both were lodged in the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center on Wednesday. 
Two days later, Castle was released from custody on a $25,000 cash bond, 
posted by a family member. Just hours after his release from jail, another 
relative bonded out Morris on a separate $25,000 cash bond. Both defendants 
are scheduled to appear in Johnson District Court today, Wednesday, for 
their arraignments on the charges. Reports indicate that court officials 
could determine at that time whether to pursue the forfeiture of the posted 
bond money.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom