Police: Cal U. hockey players caught with drugs
Two brothers who were on the California University of Pennsylvania club hockey team were arrested Tuesday after allegedly taking delivery of 7 pounds of suspected marijuana that been mailed from the state of California.
Steven J. Powell, 23, and his 18-year-old brother, Jesse E. Powell, both of 818 Agnew Road, Baldwin, were taken into custody by state police after the package was delivered to their off-campus residence at 256 Second St., authorities said.
Also found in the house, identified in court documents as “Hockey House,” following a search by members of the state police Bureau of Criminal Investigation Western Interdiction Unit was an additional 2 pounds of suspected marijuana, $14,000 and drug paraphernalia including what appeared to be owe sheets.
On Monday, a U.S. postal inspector received a package after a postal employee noticed a smell of marijuana from a heavily taped box. The Priority Mail package was addressed to Steven Powell at 256 Second St., California. The return address listed B. Johnson, Guernerville, Calif.
A state police drug dog, Spencer, examined the parcel, which had been placed among other boxes. The dog alerted to the package that was addressed to Powell, police said.
While conducting surveillance of the house on Second Street Monday, police saw a man enter the house. He was later identified as Steven Powell, based on a photograph of the university’s hockey team.
Police obtained a search warrant for the house from District Judge Larry Hopkins on Tuesday. The warrant was based on successful delivery of the package.
At 12:55 p.m., the package was delivered to the front porch of the house. Five minutes later, Steven Powell retrieved the package and took it inside the house, police said. State police served the warrant. While police were entering the home, Steven Powell fled out the rear door with the parcel, but he was quickly apprehended.
Found in Steven Powell’s room was more marijuana, suspected hashish, a digital scale, a heat sealer and $13,854, police said.
Seized from the room of Jesse Powell was additional marijuana, a digital scale, a grinder and papers that appeared to be owe sheets. Police also found $192.
During their arraignment, District Judge Jay Weller told Steven Powell, “You are not as fast on solid ground as on ice,” referencing his brief attempt to flee.
“As soon as I opened the door, I turned around,” said Steven Powell, who turned 23 Tuesday. “I knew the game was over.”
The brothers were arraigned before Weller on charges of possession and possession with intent to deliver marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Both were released on $25,000 unsecured bond.
Weller urged them to stay out of trouble while out on bond.
“You ought to be thankful. You have to be absolute model citizens,” the judge told them. “As a judge and a parent, I am telling you, don’t make mistake on top of mistake. Don’t make things any worse than it is.”
A preliminary hearing is set for April 25 before District Judge Joshua Kanalis.