Officers with both the Visalia Police Department’s Special Enforcement and Narcotics units took a local 55-year-old man into custody on Wednesday, Jan. 24. He was later charged with various crimes, including drug possession and child endangerment, among others.
It’s unclear as to what led investigators to the man’s home, located along N. Garden Street’s 600 block. A police spokesperson stated, however, that they had reason to believe that the man living there kept drugs in close proximity of children. They also had reason to believe that he’d been selling heroin no more than 1,000 feet from school grounds as well.
Upon entering his property at 9 a.m., officers found scales consistent with what’s used to weigh drugs, an estimated ounce worth of heroin and brass knuckles.
The suspected drug dealer was placed under arrest at the search’s conclusion.
He’s currently being held at the Tulare County Pretrial Facility charged with possessing heroin with an intent to distribute it and the three other charges listed above. It’s unclear when his next hearing is in the matter or how much time he may be facing if convicted on the charges waged against him.
Being arrested on drug charges is bad enough. Being accused of having used or distributed drugs around kids is even worse. If you’re facing drug charges under aggravated circumstances such as the aforementioned, then you may be facing significant time in prison if convicted of the crimes. In learning more details surrounding your case, a Visalia criminal defense attorney can advise you as to penalties you’re potentially facing in your own legal matter.
Source: The Fresno Bee, “Visalia man accused of leaving heroin in reach of children,” Larry Valenzuela, Jan. 24, 2018