Informants help police capture drug suspects

Confidential informants played a role in both arrests.

By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.

VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF

GIRARD —Residents refused to embrace the “don’t snitch” philosophy in two recent police investigations, leading police to arrest two men believed to be selling marijuana.

According to police reports, officers were told by a confidential informant that Ronald Lewis Jr., 27, of Lincoln Avenue, was involved in the sale of marijuana throughout the city. Police, using the confidential informant, began an undercover investigation.

Police reports say the informant, beginning Aug. 13, made several marijuana buys from Lewis — one close to a school zone — while police watched and taped each exchange. There were also phone conversations recorded by police where Lewis and the informant discussed the purchase of drugs.

Lewis was taken into custody Aug. 28 by city police and the U.S. Marshals Service on two felony counts of trafficking in marijuana. His case has since been bound over to a Trumbull County grand jury.

Police also arrested John Killin, 24, of East Main Street, on Monday on a misdemeanor charge of trafficking in marijuana. He was given a $12,500 bond and a hearing date of Sept. 19.

Police reports say officers had been told by confidential informants that Killin and other individuals had been selling marijuana from a residence on East Liberty. Officers then saw Killin in his gold Buick exchanging items with a group of men outside the car.

Officers, reports say, searched the car and found 3.8 ounces of suspected marijuana packaged in four separate bags. Officers also seized about $400.

After being arrested and taken to the Girard Police Department, Killin told officers that he had been selling marijuana since the beginning of the summer and that he was making about $600 a month from the drug sales. He also told officers that he often used his Buick to store the marijuana and transport it to various drug sales, reports said.

jgoodwin@vindy.com