May 5, 2000

 

 

 

DRUG RAID CONDUCTED AT THE AMERICAN LEGION

 

       The current Vice Commander of American Legion Post 218 and nine others were arrested Thursday night on charges that they were dealing drugs from a tavern at the post, Mercer County Prosecutor Daniel G. Giaquinto and Police Chief Thomas Michaud announced.

      As a result of a three-month joint undercover investigation by borough police and the Special Investigations Unit of the prosecutor’s office, the tavern at the American Legion Post 218, located in the first block of Lytle Street, Princeton Borough, may be closed down, Giaquinto said. The investigation is continuing.

      “In an unrelated investigation earlier this week, we arrested 11 students on charges of drug dealing at a West Windsor High School. That investigation and today’s operation underscores our point that in Mercer County, drugs are not just a Trenton problem. Indeed, not even a venerable organization like the American Legion is immune from the scourge of drugs,” Giaquinto said.

      “This investigation is an example of the effectiveness of law enforcement agencies working together to combat drug abuse. We will continue to be vigilant for evidence of drug dealing in Princeton and we will strictly enforce those laws dealing with controlled dangerous substances,” Chief Michaud said.

      Those arrested were Roger Madden (DOB 5/11/47), of the first block of Green Street, Princeton, who is the vice commander of the post; Marshawn E. Ferguson, also known as Rashawn Ferguson (DOB 4/11/77), of the 1400 block of Princeton Avenue, Ewing; Anthony “Tony” Boone (DOB 6/23/52), of the 100 block of Leigh Avenue, Princeton; Gerald “Gerry” Austin Cunningham (DOB 9/22/70), of the first block of Lytle Street, Princeton; Richard “Ricky” L. Vernon (DOB 12/23/75), of the first block of Clay Street, Princeton; Shawn Keron Burnett (DOB 11/8/76), of the 100 block of John Street, Princeton: Judith Walden (DOB 1/1/63), of the first block of Clay Street, Princeton; Andrew “Chris” Wells (DOB 10/6/59), of the 200 block of John Street, Princeton; Tarek Elsayed (DOB 6/2/73), of Stuyvesant Avenue, Trenton; and Christopher Marrow (DOB 1/23/63), of the 100 block of Birch Avenue, Princeton.

      Madden is accused of distributing a small amount of marijuana while all of the others arrested except Marrow are accused of selling cocaine in quantities for personal use to undercover officers inside or directly outside of the American Legion’s bar, Giaquinto said. Marrow, who fought with officers, was stopped in a vehicle and had cocaine in his possession.

      Assistant Prosecutor Jay Hindman and Lt. Al Paglione lead the Prosecutor’s Special Investigations Unit, while borough Detective Sgt. John Reading headed up the investigation for police.

      During the investigation, six undercover buys were allegedly made from the suspects, who are considered to be a tight-knit group that work in tandem, Paglione said. Three of the buys were made inside the tavern, while the other three were made either directly outside or near the bar, Paglione added. The investigation began after police received citizen complaints of alleged drug dealing from the post.

      All of those arrested, except Marrow, were charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance; possession with intent to distribute; distribution; possession with intent to distribute on or near a park (the Mary Moss Park); and distribution on or near the park. Marrow was charged with possession; possession with intent to distribute near the park; possession with intent to distribute in a school zone; and resisting arrest.

      Some of the charges against all of the suspects are second-degree offenses, which carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison upon conviction.

      It was not immediately known if any of those arrested besides Madden are actual members of the post. The tavern has a club license, meaning it is legally allowed only to serve post members or members’ guests. As a result of this investigation, officers are in the process of determining whether the post violated any ABC laws, Giaquinto said.