NEW CASTLE —
A county man is facing several drug charges after authorities alleged he sold drugs to a police informant.
Leslie Richard Ransom Jr., 24, of 110 N. Edinburg Road, also is accused of selling drugs to a juvenile from his apartment.
According to a criminal complaint filed against Ransom by the Lawrence County District Attorney’s office, authorities began a drug investigation last week involving Ransom that led to sending a confidential informant to Ransom’s apartment Thursday to purchase drugs with $60.
The complaint said the informant entered Ransom’s residence and returned to investigators with heroin and crack cocaine.
A second alleged buy was arranged the next day, again by sending an informant to Ransom’s apartment with $25 to purchase marijuana.
While engaged in surveillance at Ransom’s home that day, authorities said, they observed a vehicle pull up and someone go in. After that person, later identified as a 17-year-old male, left the home, authorities stopped his vehicle.
Police said they contacted the juvenile’s mother, who went to the scene and allegedly told her son to cooperate with authorities. The complaint said the youth then pulled out a bag of marijuana and handed it to investigators.
Specifically, Ransom is accused of three counts of delivery of a controlled substance, and one count each of distribution of a controlled substance to a person under 18, tampering with evidence and possession of drug paraphernalia. The tampering charge involves allegations Ransom flushed marijuana down his toilet when he saw officers approaching his home.
Ransom was arraigned by District Judge Melissa Amodie and placed in the Lawrence County jail after being unable to post a $20,000 bond. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for tomorrow.
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