Constance Ann Johnson, one of two suspects arrested in an early-June drug bust in Meadville’s Fifth Ward, was bound over to Crawford County Court of Common Pleas following a preliminary hearing Thursday before Meadville Area Magisterial District Judge William Chisholm.
Johnson, 29, of 326 Boston Store Place, Erie, was arrested at the home of John Mark Donahue, 54, of 217 Kearney St., Meadville, on June 2. Donahue was also arrested at that time.
Meadville Police Department Patrolman Brian Joseph, who also serves as a member of the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s northwest drug task force, described what took place after a search warrant was issued based on information received from a confidential informant.
In addition to drug paraphernalia and various small packages of marijuana and cocaine, 166 marijuana plants ranging in size from 2 to 20 inches tall were confiscated, according to Joseph.
While Joseph alleged that Johnson and Donahue shared the Kearney Avenue residence, Johnson’s attorney, Bruce Barrett, maintained that Johnson lived at the Erie address with her mother and sister. “If I’m in your house and you’re growing marijuana, I can’t be charged with what you’re doing,” Barrett told Chisholm before asking that all charges be dismissed.
“What she did and didn’t know is a trial issue,” Chisholm said.
During Johnson’s June 2 arraignment before Magisterial District Judge Amy Nicols, who was acting for Chisholm, bail was set at $100,000. That amount was subsequently reduced to $60,000 in Crawford County Court of Common Pleas by Judge Anthony Vardaro.
Following Thursday’s hearing, Johnson was returned to Crawford County jail, where she has been held on charges of three counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, two counts of possession of a controlled substance and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia. She faces a maximum of 23 years in prison and $180,000 in fines if convicted on all counts.
Her mother, Joyce Genovesi, who was present for the proceeding, told the Tribune after the hearing that Johnson lives with her in Erie.
The preliminary hearing for Donahue, who was present for but did not testify during Johnson’s hearing, is scheduled for July 10. Donahue, who has been charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, one count of possession with intent to deliver, one count of possession with intent to manufacture marijuana, two counts of possession of a controlled substance and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia faces a maximum of 43 years in prison and $275,000 in fines if convicted on all counts.
Mary Spicer can be reached at 724-6370 or by e-mail at mspicer@meadvilletribune.com.
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