Details in Salem Meth Arrest
WSLM reported on a meth arrest from last Friday morning, and more details are now available.
On May 5th, members of the Washington County Drug Taskforce executied a search warrant located at 113 Hickory Avenue in Salem where drugs and an unlicensed gun was found.
Leslie E. Spaulding, 36, and Monica Dorta, 29, were arrested on the following charges:
Spaulding –
- DEALING IN MARIJUANA HASH OIL, HASHISH OR SALVIA
- PRIOR CONVICTION FOR A DRUG OFFENSE AND AMOUNT IS AT LEAST 30 GRAMS BUT <10 POUNDS MARIJUANA OR AT LEAST 5 BUT <300 GRAMS HASH OIL HASHISH OR SALVIA
- MAINTAINING A COMMON NUISANCE
- NEGLECT OF A DEPENDENT
- POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA HASH OIL HASHISH OR SALVIA
- PRIOR CONVICTION FOR A DRUG OFFENSE
- POSSESSION OF METHAMPHETAMINE
- POSSESSION OF PARAPHERNALIA
Dorta –
- DEALING IN METHAMPHETAMINE W/FIREARM
- MAINTAINING A COMMON NUISANCE
- NEGLECT OF A DEPENDENT,
- POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA HASH OIL, HASHISH OR SALVIA
- POSSESSION OF METHAMPHETAMINE W/ FIREARM,
- POSSESSION OF PARAPHERNALIA,
- POSSESSION OF A SYNTHETIC DRUG OR SYNTHETIC DRUG LOOKALIKE SUBSTANCE
Police arrived at the resident along with a K-9 unit and entered the house.
When they initially entered the home, they found Spaulding and Dorta, along with three young children – 6, 5 and one-years-old.
Department of Child Services was called for assistance with the children. They took custody of the three children.
At that time, the two adults were placed in restraints and the residence was secured.
The adults were served the search warrant issued by Washington Circuit Judge Larry Medlock.
The K-9 “hit” on narcotics in a grey safe, located on the floor in the house’s bedroom, on the north side of the residence.
The K-9 also alerted to a top dresser drawer located in the same bedroom.
There were no other “hits” by the drug K-9, the officers secured the dog in the patrol car and conducted a search on the residence.
Police found a clear plastic bag, containing a dry green plant-like material which weighed approximately 42 grams, in the top right dresser drawer located in the north bedroom.
Additional plastic bags commonly used to package narcotic drugs were also found.
According to the probable cause affidavit, a hand rolled marijuana cigarette and a clear glass pipe were also located on the top of the dresser.
A loaded Smith and Wesson .38 special was located under the mattress in the bedroom. Laying next to the gun was a plastic bag, containing a white crystal type substance, which was later field tested to be meth.
Also under the mattress, police found a glass mirror with a white powder reside that tested positive for meth.
Inside the grey safe, police located a container with white residue, numerous glass smoking devices and drug paraphernalia.
During the police search, Spaulding was not wearing any pants and had asked police to get a pair of pants from the bedroom. Police officers picked up the pants he asked for and $380 cash in one pocket and $360 in the wallet.
There was four $20 bills inside with serial numbers that matched drug enforcement buys.
Another firearm was located in the residence – a Remington shotgun.
