Published: August 29, 2009 09:44 pm      

Michigan man charged in two drug cases

A Madison County grand jury indicted a Michigan man on felony drug trafficking charges in two separate cases Thursday.

Marcellus Oscar “Ant” Simmons, 30, of Detroit, was indicted in two separate cases on charges of first-degree trafficking in controlled substances, both Class C felonies, for allegedly selling oxycodone pills to a confidential informant or informants working for the Central Kentucky Area Drug Task Force.

In one case, Simmons was indicted along with Michael S. Tuttle, 27, of the 100 block of Manna Drive, for an incident July 13 in which a search of a car the duo was riding in uncovered 36 OxyContin pills.

Tuttle is charged with complicity to commit first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, also a Class C felony, as well as possession of drug paraphernalia for allegedly having a pipe, straw and water pipe used for drugs.

The pair were arrested on the Eastern Bypass after task force officers witnessed the buy, which took place in what detectives referred to only as a “public place” during a preliminary hearing in July in Madison District Court.

In the second case, Simmons again was indicted for allegedly selling oxycodone pills to a confidential informant during a July 6 controlled buy.

A second person, 44-year-old Margaret Dunaway, of the 100 block of Forest Hills Drive, Richmond, was indicted on complicity to commit first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance in the case.

Dunaway allegedly “solicited, aided or engaged in a conspiracy with” Simmons to sell the drugs, the indictment states.

She also faces a first-degree persistent felony offender charge.

If convicted, Simmons could receive five to 10 years in prison on each charge. Tuttle and Dunaway are each facing a single five- to 10-year sentence if convicted in their cases.



Stolen gun charge

Lonnie Ray Hatfield Jr., 25, of Hager Drive, was indicted on felony theft by unlawful taking and misdemeanor theft by deception charges for allegedly stealing a handgun from a friend.

The gun, a .38-caliber handgun, was reported stolen July 31 from a home in the 700 block of Marietha Drive. The resident told police Hatfield had been at the home earlier in the day, after which the gun went missing.

The resident later told police the gun had been recovered after it was pawned at Wade’s Pawn Shop for $160.

Hatfield could receive one to five years in prison for the felony charge and up to 12 months in jail for the misdemeanor charge if convicted.



Other indictments

• Rhonda Reynolds, 38, of Irvine, on two counts of first-degree possession of a controlled substance and first-degree promoting contraband. If convicted, she could receive one to five years in prison on each charge.

• Donald Anthony Fitzpatrick, no age or address listed, on criminal possession of a forged prescription, a prohibited act relating to controlled substances and a first-degree persistent felony offender charge. If convicted, Fitzpatrick could receive one to five years in prison on the possession and prohibited act charges and 10 to 20 years in prison on the persistent felony offender charge.

• Karen Debord Tackett, no age or address listed, on a prohibited act relating to controlled substances and a first-degree felony offender charge. If convicted, Tackett could receive one to five years in prison on the prohibited act charge and 10 to 20 years in prison on the persistent offender charge.

• Timothy Singleton, 35, no address listed, on flagrant non-support. If convicted, Singleton could receive one to five years in prison.

An indictment is a formal statement of charges and does not imply guilt.



Brian Smith may be reached at bsmith@richmondregister.com or at 624-6694.