Drug charges dropped against 2
CANONSBURG – Drug charges against two men taken into custody earlier this month by Canonsburg police were dismissed when the woman who came forward after they were arrested reportedly told police the drugs belonged to her.
Paradise Lachelle Wilson, 21, of 13 First St., Houston, was ordered to stand trial Wednesday by District Judge David Mark on charges of possession and possession with intent to deliver drugs in connection the May 6 drug bust. Charges were dismissed against Zaie Escribano, 31, of the Bronx, N.Y., and Keith Anthony Rosario, 23, of Canonsburg.
“It is my belief she is taking the fall for the other two,” said Canonsburg police Detective Sgt. Al Coghill.
Coghill said police received information from a reliable source about a vehicle that would be in the area. Police stopped the vehicle near South Central Elementary School. Escribano was the driver and Rosario was the passenger. Coghill said police could see an aerosol can on the back seat. Found hidden in a compartment in the can were two bricks of heroin along with cocaine and Ecstasy pills.
The two men were taken into custody. While police were processing them, Wilson appeared at the station and told investigators that the drugs belonged to her.
Coghill testified that Wilson gave a statement indicating she sold 15 to 20 bricks a week.
“That is a lot,” Coghill said. “That makes her a significant dealer.”
Wilson’s bond was reduced from $200,000 to $50,000.
In an unrelated drug case, Joshua K. Thomas, 34, of 29 W. College St., Canonsburg, waived his case to court Wednesday before Mark. He is charged with possession and possession with intent to deliver cocaine, possession of paraphernalia and persons not to possess a firearm.
Thomas was taken into custody May 10 after police, the Washington County District Attorney’s Drug Task Force and Washington Regional SWAT team surrounded his home.
Police found two bags of cocaine and paraphernalia in his home. Also found were several guns.
Thomas’ bond was reduced from $250,000 to $50,000 bond.