Detroit Man Busted with Suspected Fentanyl in Oil City

| April 20, 2018

OIL CITY, Pa. (EYT) – A man was arrested in Oil City Wednesday after police found him to be in possession of over 20 grams of suspected Fentanyl.

Court documents indicate that the Oil City Police Department filed criminal charges against 33-year-old James Lee Word, of Detroit, MI.

According to a criminal complaint, on April 18, Ptlm. Ruditis executed a search warrant on a vehicle owned by a known Oil City woman. The vehicle was operated by another known woman at the time, and James Lee Word, also known as “Marcus Taylor,” was riding in the passenger seat. The search warrant was served on the vehicle upon its arrival to the Oil City area from the Erie area. Word was found to be in possession of approximately 23.55 grams of a substance he identified as heroin, though police suspected and believed it to be Fentanyl.

Through the execution of the search warrant, Ptlm. Ruditis also found receipts showing the two known women had sent money to Word via money transfers, as well as a set of digital scales contained in a black backpack belonging to Word. Officers also located multiple receipts and tickets for Greyhound bus trips from the Detroit, Michigan area. The tickets and receipts show that Word has made multiple trips between the locations.

Police took Word into custody. After being read Miranda Warnings, he agreed to speak to the police about the incident. According to the complaint, Word admitted to possessing the controlled substances which he identified as heroin and also confirmed that he had made multiple trips to and from the Detroit, Michigan area.

Word also referred to a plea deal and admitted that he “committed the said acts,” according to the complaint.

Word was arraigned at 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 18, in Magisterial District Judge Andrew F. Fish’s office on the following charges:

– Conspiracy – Manufacture, Delivery, or Possession With Intent to Manufacture or Deliver, Felony (two counts)
– Manufacture, Delivery, or Possession With Intent to Manufacture or Deliver, Felony
– Intentional Possession of Controlled Substance By Person Not Registered, Misdemeanor
– Use/Possession Of Drug Paraphernalia, Misdemeanor

He was lodged in the Venango County Jail without bail, due to being considered a flight risk.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 25, with Judge Fish presiding.


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