Woman faces charges after Saturday row

Staff report

AUSTINTOWN

A woman was arraigned in Mahoning County Area Court, accused of kicking in a door during an altercation Saturday night in the township.

Angelica J. Sturkie, 24, of Wickliffe is charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana drug paraphernalia and felony aggravated burglary.

She requested court-appointed counsel before Judge Diane Vettori, who presided over the court Monday afternoon.

Sturkie is required to bring in pay stubs from her job in health care, and her bond was set at $50,000 cash or surety. If she posts bond, she can have no contact with the victim, of Kenmar Court, and will be placed on house arrest if found there.

Officers responded to 59 Kenmar Court at 7:40 p.m. Saturday. Police found the front door kicked in and found Sturkie and the male homeowner in the home.

Authorities found “a large marijuana-growing operation” in the basement, according to a police report. Drug paraphernalia and a cabinet for drying out marijuana were found as well.

The county drug task force was called to the home, but there has been only a drug-paraphernalia charge in the case against Sturkie.

A next-door neighbor told police he saw Sturkie force her way into the residence.

The male said Sturkie forced her way in and assaulted him. Officers saw small scratches on the male’s neck and arms.

Sturkie was arrested. She told police she had taken her belongings out of the home earlier in the night but returned for her passport. Once at the home, she said the resident became argumentative and wouldn’t let her in. She also said he threatened to shoot her.

While searching her car, officers found a marijuana pipe with marijuana residue inside and gave her a misdemeanor summons on the charge.