Latest news with #LackawannaCountyDetectiveDrugUnit
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Yahoo
Police: Wanted Scranton man crashes into patrol vehicle
A wanted Scranton man faces additional charges after police said he drove his car into a patrol vehicle during an undercover drug sting in the city Thursday. As members of the Scranton Police Street Crimes Unit, Lackawanna County Detective Drug Unit and Pennsylvania State Police Troop R Vice Unit were monitoring social media platforms, they noticed Ezequiel Soto advertising the sale of marijuana on his account, officers said. Investigators were also aware Soto had an active arrest warrant issued by Scranton police for theft, according to a criminal complaint. Soto (Courtesy Lackawanna County Central Processing) Investigators contacted Soto using an undercover social media account and initiated a conversation, eventually arranging to meet up to purchase marijuana from him for $70, police said. Around 7 p.m., investigators observed a blue Volkswagen Jetta enter a parking lot with Soto in the driver's seat, officers said. Officers positioned their vehicles behind and aside Soto's and he attempted to exit the area by going in reverse, nearly striking an officer's vehicle before shifting into drive and accelerating, striking the front end of a detective's vehicle, police said. Investigators then removed Soto and a passenger — identified as Cesar Diaz — from the car and detained both, according to the criminal complaint. Diaz faces charges of possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Investigators found approximately 14 grams of marijuana inside Soto's car, police said. Then, during a search of Soto's residence on the 500 block of Emmett Street, they found a large bag containing approximately 148 grams of marijuana on the bedroom floor, approximately 42 grams in the dresser area, plastic bags used for packaging narcotics and a digital scale with marijuana residue, police said. Police charged Soto, 20, with aggravated assault, possession with intent to deliver, criminal use of a communication facility and related counts. As of Monday, Soto remained at Lackawanna County Prison in lieu of $50,000 bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 1 at 9 a.m.
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Yahoo
Police: Alleged gang member and father face drug charges in Scranton
SCRANTON — A father and son are facing felony charges after law enforcement officials raided their Theodore Street residence Tuesday. Caesar Alexza Agosto, 18, of 622 Theodore St., Scranton, an alleged gang member, is charged with possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and possession of marijuana. Caesar Agosto, 45, also of 622 Theodore St., faces the same charges. According to the criminal complaint: On Tuesday, members of the Scranton Police Street Crimes Unit, the Lackawanna County Detective Drug Unit, the Pennsylvania State Police Troop R Vice Unit and the state attorney general's office executed a search warrant at the Agostos' residence. As they approached the residence, they saw the younger Agosto leaving the building and walking toward his vehicle. Officers intercepted, arrested and searched him, finding a THC vaporizer and an iPhone. At that point, he indicated he wanted to speak with an attorney. During their search of the residence, investigators found an ashtray filled with partially smoked marijuana cigarettes, a small bag containing marijuana and a marijuana grinder in the basement of the house. Investigators then requested a second search warrant, and while they were waiting for it to be approved, spoke with Kelly Agosto, the younger Caesar Agosto's mother. She admitted there was marijuana inside the residence. She told investigators her husband had a medical marijuana card, but her son did not. She said her son was the only family member who regularly spent time in the basement. But, when the elder Agosto returned to the residence, he said marijuana found in the basement belonged to him and provided a valid medical marijuana card. Investigators then resumed the search and found 2 grams of marijuana and $210 in cash in the younger Agosto's bedroom. They also found a plastic bag containing 27 grams of marijuana, two digital scales, two metal grinders and packing material in the basement. During a search of the master bedroom, investigators found a digital scale with cocaine residue on the vanity and a small baggie containing 18 grams of cocaine in the elder Agosto's jacket pockets, as well as a container holding THC wax on his nightstand. Both men have preliminary hearings scheduled for 9:45 a.m. on April 10 before Sean McGraw.
