Two nabbed in separate stops on felony drug charges

Staff reports

YOUNGSTOWN

Two men were arrested on felony drug charges Monday in separate traffic stops.

DeMario Hoyt, 20, of Howard Street, was arraigned Tuesday in municipal court before Magistrate Anthony Sertick on charges of possession of heroin and a misdemeanor drug abuse charge.

Hoyt was arrested about 10:10 a.m. after a car he was driving was clocked speeding on the Himrod Avenue Expressway by officer Josh Kelly, who was with his police dog Gustav. Reports said the car Hoyt was driving had license plates from Pennsylvania belonging to a man who a records check said was missing and is a heroin addict.

Hoyt also gave officers a false name and they could smell a strong odor of fresh marijuana inside the car, reports said.

Because of the marijuana smell, Hoty was ordered out of the car and searched. Police found two bags of suspected marijuana, a bag of suspected heroin and $295 cash. Hoyt was taken to the Mahoning County jail pending his arraignment.

Magistrate Sertick set his bond at $5,000.

Also arraigned Tuesday was Derek Smith, 26, of West LaClede Avenue, on charges of possession of crack cocaine and illegal conveyance of a prohibited item into a detention facility. Reports said Smith was a passenger in a car pulled over about 7:35 p.m. Monday by officers Mark Sember and Anthony Trimble for having no license plate late.

The driver of the car, Antwan Pete, 26, of West Delason Avenue, told police he had no driver’s license. Reports said a record check found the warrants for Smith and he was taken into custody and taken to the jail.

While at the jail, a corrections officer found a bag of suspected crack cocaine in Smith’s navel, reports said.

Magistrate Sertick set his bond at $5,000 also.