2-month investigation leads to Arnold man's arrest on drug charges

An Arnold man’s arrest Tuesday capped off a two-month drug investigation, police Chief Eric Doutt said.

Doutt said police seized drugs worth more than $4,000 and about $1,600 in cash when they arrested Don Carter Jr., 27.

Agents with the state Attorney General’s Bureau of Narcotics Investigation along with the Westmoreland County Drug Task Force and Arnold police carried out a search warrant around 2:30 p.m. at 1391 Fifth Ave.

In a criminal complaint, police said Carter was seen leaving the residence and getting into a car across the street. Agents and officers converged on the residence and car at the same time and detained Carter.

Doutt said they seized 23.5 grams of cocaine with a street value of $2,350; 12.1 grams of cocaine worth $1,210; and 67 grams of marijuana with a value of $670. Police also seized $1,588 in cash and a 2012 BMW sedan.

Police charged Carter with three felony counts of possession with intent to deliver and misdemeanor counts of possession of drugs and paraphernalia.

Carter did not have an attorney listed in court records for this case.

Carter has previously pleaded guilty to drug and weapons offenses in New Kensington and Arnold as recently as earlier this month, according to court records.

On May 4, Carter plead guilty to a charge of drug possession from New Kensington police while a count of possession with intent to deliver was dismissed. He was sentenced to up to one year of probation and ordered to have a mental health evaluation, according to court records.

In April 2016, Carter plead guilty to carrying a gun without a license on a charge from New Kensington in May 2015. In a separate case, he pleaded guilty in April 2016 to possession with intent to deliver, receiving stolen property, carrying a gun without a license and corruption of minors, stemming from charges New Kensington police filed in April 2014.

In July 2016, Arnold police charged Carter with possession with intent to deliver, to which he pleaded guilty in May 2017, according to court records.

Carter was arraigned Tuesday evening before District Judge Cheryl Peck Yakopec, who set his bail at 10% of $20,000. He was sent to the Westmoreland County jail after failing to post bail.

Carter’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 19 before District Judge Frank J. Pallone Jr.