Law enforcement agencies seized methamphetamine and arrested three men in Petersburg this week. The men appeared before a packed courthouse Monday. Abbey Collins reports.
The courtroom was filled with members of the public, there to watch the appearance of 43-year-old Sovanmony Mao, 41-year-old David Dee Fogle, and 25-year-old Jonathan Chim.
According to the Petersburg Borough Police Department, The South East Alaska Cities against Drugs Task Force “SEACAD,” with assistance from the Petersburg Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Forest Service law enforcement officers, and the Alaska State Troopers executed multiple search warrants on June 5th.
Officers searched 214 North Nordic apartment #5, and allege Mao was found in possession of multiple bags of a substance that later tested positive for methamphetamine, according to court documents. Police say they found a knife, multiple baggies, a scale and more packaged suspected meth. In total, according to court documents, approximately 60 grams of the drug was recovered.
Mao, a resident of Lakewood, California, was arrested on June 6th and charged with misconduct involving a controlled substance in the third degree for possession with the intent to distribute meth.
He is also charged with one count of misconduct involving a controlled substance in the fourth degree, for allegedly possessing a controlled substance, according to court documents.
According to District Attorney Chris Orman, Mao has a history of felony convictions in California.
Superior Court Judge William Carey set Mao’s performance bail at $50,000. He also set $15,000 in appearance bail.
Judge Carey scheduled a preliminary hearing for Wednesday, June 15th at 3:30pm for Mao.
A second man, 25-year-old Jonathan Chim was arrested for a probation violation for allegedly possessing a controlled substance, consuming a controlled substance, and associating with Mao, according to court documents. Chim, a Petersburg resident, is on probation for a March 2010 sentence for attempted sexual abuse of a minor in the second degree.
Judge Carey set $2,500 in performance bail for him. Chim was appointed a public defender. His next appearance is on June 28th at 9am.
The third man, David Dee Fogle of Petersburg, was arrested and charged with misconduct involving a controlled substance in the fourth degree. According to police, Fogle was allegedly found in possession of meth. He was arrested at #39 Towne Trailer Court with approximately 1.15 grams of the drug, according to court documents.
Fogle was appointed a public defender and a not guilty plea was entered by the court on his behalf. His bail is set at $750. Fogle’s next appearance is scheduled for June 15th.
Local police say they expect more charges in an ongoing investigation. Investigators are encouraging citizens to call and report suspicious behavior to the police department. They are taking anonymous tips. You can call SEACAD at 907-500-0876 or the Petersburg Police Department at 772-3838.
