GM substance use was 'mostly recreational', chief says

Most employees are hard-working and dedicated, a GM spokesman said.
BY AMANDA GARRETT
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
NEWTON FALLS -- Lordstown's police chief says he doesn't believe weekend arrests are an indication of a large-scale drug-selling operation at the General Motors Assembly plant.
Eleven GM Lordstown employees appeared in Newton Falls Municipal Court on Monday, after police say they caught the men smoking marijuana and drinking alcohol on their lunch break.
"The information we have is that it was mostly recreational activity," Lordstown Police Chief Brent Milhoan said.
GM corporate security notified Lordstown police 51/2 weeks ago that there was a potential drug and alcohol problem among second-shift workers, Milhoan said.
Some of the workers were going to their vehicles on their lunch break -- between 9:30 and 10 p.m. -- and either smoking marijuana, drinking alcohol, or doing both, Milhoan said.
Fourteen Lordstown police officers, the Newton Township canine officer and GM security conducted the raid Friday night and Saturday morning, Milhoan said.
Company statement
Tom Mock, a GM spokesman, said it's unfortunate for the plant to be cast in a negative light. Union leaders and plant executives are working on a new local labor contract to try to persuade GM officials in Detroit to keep the plant open beyond 2009.
Mock added, however, that some problems will occur with a work force of 4,200 hourly and salaried workers.
"We have to keep in mind that we have thousands of dedicated and hard-working people here. We're like a big city," he said.
The men's reactions to the arrests were varied, Milhoan said.
"I'd say the biggest feeling was embarrassment," he said. "Some were cooperative and others wondered what the big deal was -- but most of them appeared embarrassed."
Facing charges
Those charged, according to the Lordstown police reports, are:
Larry D. Vines Sr., 56, of Youngstown pleaded innocent to drug possession and possession of drug paraphernalia. Officers said they found Vines smoking marijuana in his vehicle.
Officers said they also found James H. Crawley III, 36, of Canfield; James L. Rutherford, 32, of Newton Falls; and Adam R. DeLong, 24, of Austintown; in Crawley's vehicle. Crawley and Rutherford were smoking marijuana and drinking alcohol, while DeLong was drinking alcohol, authorities said. Crawley pleaded innocent to drug possession, possession of drug paraphernalia and having an open container of alcohol. Rutherford pleaded innocent to drug possession and having an open container of alcohol. DeLong pleaded guilty to having an open container of alcohol and received a 100 fine from Judge Lawrence S. Turner.
Michael A. Digregorio, 41, of Youngstown was found by police smoking marijuana in his vehicle, reports say. Digregorio pleaded innocent to one count of drug possession.
Thomas J. Lambert, 37, of Warren was observed by officers drinking beer in his vehicle, and officers found several open beer cans in his car, according to reports. Lambert pleaded guilty to one count of having an open container of alcohol and received a 100 fine.
Matthew P. Horner, 28, of Milton Township pleaded innocent to drug possession and possession of drug paraphernalia. Officers said they found Horner smoking marijuana in his vehicle.
Donald H. Walsh, 49, of Newton Falls pleaded innocent to drug possession. Police said they found six marijuana cigarettes in Walsh's vehicle.
Douglas S. Miller Jr., 33, of Youngstown pleaded innocent to drug possession, drug paraphernalia possession and having an open container of alcohol. Officers said they found marijuana and alcohol in his vehicle.
Richard M. Penman, 38, of Struthers pleaded innocent to one count of drug possession. Officers said they found a marijuana cigarette in Penman's vehicle.
Carmen T. Costantino Jr., 52, of Warren pleaded innocent to drug possession and drug paraphernalia possession. Officers said they found a pipe and marijuana in his vehicle.
Vindicator business editor Don Shilling contributed to this story.
agarrett@vindy.com