State v. Mr. T (DMC No. 18288) – Felony Conspiracy, Felony Illegally Conducting an Enterprise, Felony Possession of Narcotic Drugs for Sale (1,000 THC Cartridges), Felony Money Laundering, and Felony Possession of Narcotic Drugs – Not Charged/”Turned Down” by the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office – Goodyear Police Department Investigated (DR No. 20XX-XXXXXXX8) and Maricopa County Superior Court (Case No. PF 20XX-XXXXX1)
The Goodyear Police Department were members of the Neighborhood Enforcement Team (NET), and they had received several tips from a Confidential Informant regarding 5 suspects who were selling drugs out of a house. They conducted surveillance on the house, and they would see numerous people walk up to the house, state their name, and they would be let into the house, and would only remain for a few minutes, and then leave with packages. Ultimately, a traffic stop was conducted on 3 of the suspects, and one of them was Mr. T. Mr. T had been seen entering the house, and then going to the garage and moving a large package into his trunk. When he was ultimately pulled over, Goodyear Police Department Officers claimed they could smell Marijuana emanating from his vehicle.
A K9 dog was brought in who had a “hit”, regarding the smell of Marijuana. They then Searched Mr. T’s trunk, and found 1,000 THC Vape Cartridges. In addition, his female passenger had a large amount of cash inside of her purse. Mr. T invoked his Right to Remain Silent, and his passenger claimed that the money in her purse was all due to waitressing and making tips over the last several months. Mr. T was subsequently Arrested and Charged with Conspiracy, Illegally Conducting an Enterprise, Money Laundering, Possession of Narcotic Drugs for Sale, and Possession of Narcotic Drugs. After he was taken to the Fourth Avenue Jail, DM Cantor services were secured.
After we were able to have Mr. T Released, we immediately obtained copies of the Police Report. We also obtained copies of Reports regarding the codefendants. Because Mr. T had Invoked his Right to Remain Silent, we explained to the Detectives and the Deputy County Attorney, they did not have actual evidence against Mr. T regarding knowledge of what was in the package in the trunk. Ultimately, the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office Declined to File Charges, due to “No Reasonable Likelihood of Conviction”. Had Mr. T been Charged and Convicted on all Counts, he could have spent Decades in Prison.
