Recordpub.com - Drug task force targets Nelson Ledges Quarry Park

Sat Nov 21 2009

Home | Back

Drug task force targets Nelson Ledges Quarry Park

Share Story:

E-mail Story |

Print Story | Comments |

Colin McEwen

June 16, 2009

By Colin McEwen

Record-Courier staff writer

Eight people were arraigned Monday in Portage County Municipal Court on charges of possessing and trafficking drugs at Nelson Ledges Quarry Park during the weekend.

On Friday evening, undercover officers from the Portage County Drug Task Force entered the park with $800 in cash and were approached by several people soliciting drugs. In less than an hour, five people were arrested, according to Portage County Sheriff David Doak.

Cedric Smith, 19, and Bradley Szuber, 20, both of Lima, were arrested and each charged with trafficking in marijuana, a fifth-degree felony. Their bonds were set at 10 percent of $25,000.

Perry Blankenship, 47, of Paw Paw, Mich., was charged with trafficking in psilocybin mushrooms, a fifth-degree felony, after he was discovered with a large amount of the hallucinogen. His bond also was set at 10 percent of $25,000.

Nicholas Melnik, 28, of Lowelville and Case Walters, 20, of Cleveland also were charged with trafficking in psilocybin mushrooms, a fifth-degree felony. Bond for each was set at 10 percent of $15,000.

On Saturday, the sheriff’s office received a report from the park’s security of further drug activity.

When two deputies responded, they arrested three more people.

Alex Morrow, 25, of Greensburg, Ind., was arrested and charged with trafficking drugs, a second-degree felony. His bond was set at 10 percent of $25,000.

Thomas McCusker, 21, of 3689 Beck Road, Mantua, was charged with fifth-degree felony trafficking in cocaine. His bond was set at 10 percent of $75,000.

Frances Blair, 21, of Cleveland, was charged with second-degree felony possession of psilocybin mushrooms. Her bond was also set at 10 percent of $75,000.

Saturday’s bust netted $9,000, Doak said.

Doak said he expects more charges to be filed.

Just near the evidence lockers at the Portage County Sheriff’s Office, Doak held up evidence bags from the weekend’s arrests highlighting the dozens of pills and narcotics inside.

“What really concerns us is that many people coming in and out of (the park) impaired,” he said. “We’re going to keep stepping on it. The task force guys said it was like shooting fish in a barrel.”

Doak said the enforcement at the park was the result of drug-related activity in and around the quarry. Throughout the years, authorities have made numerous drug-related arrests at the park, most recently in April when eight people were arrested in three days.

The weekend music festival was the Floyd/Zeppelin/Classic Fest, but Doak isn’t sure the people attending are there only for the music.

“The drugs are out of control up there,” Doak said. “It’s like a flea market, and I’m not going to ignore it.”

Comments

By Posting to this site, you agree to our Terms of Service Be polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed. Recordpub.com doesn't necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post.

8.	Posted by SOH June 16, 2009
	I had the pleasure of watching those busts go down this weekend. As a weekly camper at NLQP, I again want to thank the staff and Sheriff Doak for coming and removing the scum from our park. We don't want them there any more than you do.

7.	Posted by Watchman June 16, 2009
	This is a shame. I have heard that the in the past the park had a very bad reputation, until the current owners took over. I wouldn't be quick to lay blame on the parks current owners. NLQP called the cops on those drug dealers who were trying to set up shop in their park. It looks to me like this article is slanted to make it look like the Nelson Ledges Quarry Park establishment is responsible for the drug trafficking. Why is there no comment from the park's management? Did the writer of the article approach the park's management for comment? Don't get me wrong, it's great the drug traffickers were caught, but do the park owners have a comment regarding this situation?

6.	Posted by Old Ma June 16, 2009
	The owners must charge large to pay for the security, specially for these large festivals. Maybe once they get it back to family friendly he will be able to lower his prices. No harm done making the druggies pay for their own keep and clean up. They own that land. If you want to visit you must pay the price. Otherwise go next door to the government owned park, it's free.

5.	Posted by Old Ma June 16, 2009
	I encourage the park's owners, security and the Sheriffs to continue to clean up that beautiful camping ground. It should be enjoyed by friends and families, not just druggies. It is a wonder place but until we get it clean, it is simply dangerous. On the same note, We have way to many impaired drivers in this corner of the county and safety must be considered. I am all in favor of ending the drug war, but impaired is impaired. My life, my friend's and family's lives are compromised every time we get on these back roads. The Sheriff's job is to protect and serve. WE elected him to do so.

4.	Posted by narcolicious June 16, 2009
	I LOVE IT! THIS PARK IS TRASH, ALONG WITH THE OWNER. HE CHARGES 55.00 PER PERSON, HES GETTING RICH OFF OF DRUG ADDICTS AND DRUG DEALERS. ITS LIKE A CULT. THEY WALK AROUND THIS PLACE LIKE ZOMBIES. THIS IS NOT A FAMILY FRIENDLY PLACE, UNLESS YOU ARE RELATED TO THE BROWNS....

3.	Posted by ivabiggen June 16, 2009
	We went there to watch the bands and drink sum beers and had a blast. GOOD TIME

2.	Posted by Vydunas June 16, 2009
	I think we need to elect a sheriff with a clearer sense of priorities.

1.	Posted by Kitty June 16, 2009
	R.I.P. NLQP?

Previous 10 Comments | Home | Back

Advanced Search