Couple charged in drug trafficking
By Patricia Bogumil
Editor
A jobless couple living with young children near Whitford Park, Waterford, is accused of using marijuana sales at their residence to supplement their food stamps and state Women, Infants and Children Nutrition Program benefits.
Melanie A. Adkins, 23, and Brandon S. Cotterell, 27, of 2957 N. River Rd., Rochester, are each charged with maintaining a drug trafficking place, a felony carrying a maximum fine of $10,000; 3-1/2 years in prison; or both.
Cotterell is additionally charged with a second and subsequent offense of felony intent to deliver marijuana and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.
According to the criminal complaints filed Sept. 13 in Racine County Circuit Court:
County Metro Drug Unit agents executed a knock-and-announce search warrant at the residence May 25 in response to a complaint about drug sales there.
Cotterell admitted to smoking marijuana, having it in the house and also selling it to pay for diapers and to help support his family.
He said Adkins does not smoke marijuana. He said neither he nor Adkins work or have any type of cash coming in.
Agents removed 19.4 grams of marijuana from the home. The county Human Services Department was notified of the presence of a baby and young boy in the home.
Both Adkins and Cotterell made initial appearances in Racine County Circuit Court Oct. 2, at which time probable cause was found that each had committed the crime(s) alleged.
They are next due in court Oct. 11 for individual preliminary hearings.
-
-
-
-
-