YOUNGSTOWN Police on GRIP detail make several arrests

The city's vice squad used search warrants to enter three homes.
By PATRICIA MEADE
VINDICATOR CRIME REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Kenneth Johnson III, who has his street name -- "Pistol Pete" -- tattooed on both arms, now understands how the Gun Reduction Interdiction Project works.
So does his companion, Robert N. Adams.
Johnson, 16, of Falls Avenue, and Adams, 22, of Hilton Avenue, were arrested Wednesday evening on the South Side and each was charged with carrying a concealed weapon. Adams also was charged with illegal possession of a weapon, based on a conviction.
Adams told police he's on probation out of Summit County. His conviction there, deception to obtain a dangerous drug, prohibits him from possessing a firearm, police said.
Police assigned to the city's Street Crimes Unit have joined forces with the U.S. marshal's office and agents with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to get guns off the streets. They call the coordinated effort GRIP.
What happened
Johnson and Adams caught the attention of law enforcement at 7 p.m. Wednesday as they walked in the middle of the street on West Glenaven Avenue, one of the high-crime target areas. Police said Johnson had his right arm tucked into his side, and Adams kept his right side turned away, telltale signs that they were concealing guns.
On the North Side, police working on GRIP detail Wednesday night arrested Joseph Moreland, 21, of Crandall Avenue after a traffic stop near his home. He faces charges of drug-abuse crack cocaine, resisting arrest and driving under suspension.
During his arrest, Charlotte F. Moreland, 32, of Akron, relationship unknown to police, was arrested on a charge of disorderly conduct. Police said she screamed obscenities, with small children around, and hindered the arrest of Joseph Moreland.
On Olivette Court, police arrested 46-year-old Richard Stanley when he failed to signal a turn. Stanley, of LaClede Avenue, was charged with driving under suspension and served with a Mahoning County warrant charging him with a probation violation.
Entered homes
The city's vice squad kept busy Wednesday entering three homes with search warrants.
Arrested at 1450 Bryson St.:
UJohn Lanier, 44, the resident, charged with possession of drug paraphernalia (crack pipe).
URegina D. Miller, 26, of Saranac Avenue, drug-abuse crack cocaine, drug-abuse marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia (scale).
UJohnny L. King, of Thornton Avenue, drug-abuse crack cocaine and probation violation (three Mahoning County warrants).
UW.D. Mixon, 37, of the Rescue Mission, trafficking in crack cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia (crack pipe).
Arrested at 476 Clearmount Drive:
UDunta Shepard, 27, the resident, trafficking in marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia (scale). Police also confiscated a 20-gauge shotgun and 9 mm handgun, both loaded. The shotgun had been stolen.
ULelaura Clarett, 33, of St. Louis Avenue, possession of marijuana.
At 596 Cohasset Drive:
UBarbara Huffman, 47, of Breeze Knoll Drive, possession of drug paraphernalia (crack pipe).
meade@vindy.com