4 men arrested after search of Arnold recording studio, residence
Four men were arrested after federal, state and Westmoreland County authorities say they found drugs worth more than $8,000 and a gun Thursday morning while searching a recording studio and residence in Arnold.
Agents of the state Attorney General Bureau of Narcotics Investigation, working with the Westmoreland County Drug Task Force and federal Drug Enforcement Administration, executed the search warrant about 7 a.m. at Iceburgh Studios, 1700 Horne Blvd.
Police charged Iceshmere Brown, 23, of Arnold and Timothy Brown Jr., 30, of New Kensington with drug offenses. Christian Barr Hawkins, 27, of Arnold was charged with prohibited possession of a firearm.
Isiah Christopher Mangol, 22, of New Kensington was charged with obstruction and disorderly conduct, according to court records.
No charges could be found against two others police said they found in the building and identified in criminal complaints.
According to the criminal complaints, agents and officers carried out a “knock-and-announce” warrant at Iceburgh Studios.
As agents were clearing the building, the complaint states, they made contact with Iceshmere Brown in the basement and ordered him to come up the stairs. Mangol was found as agents began clearing the basement.
Believing Mangol had a weapon, agents ordered him to come to the stairs and show his hands. He initially refused but surrendered after about 20 minutes, the complaint states.
According to the complaint, the search of the building uncovered a 9 mm pistol, 10 baggies of crack cocaine totaling about 56 grams, two baggies of cocaine totaling about 21 grams, baggies of marijuana, and about $1,000.
Arnold police said the narcotics seized have a street value of $8,260.
Police said a portion of the evidence seized tested positive for cocaine. They said the amount of crack cocaine and cocaine, along with packaging found, was consistent with possession with intent to deliver.
Bonds for Iceshmere Brown, Timothy Brown Jr. and Hawkins were set at $50,000 each, and they were sent to the Westmoreland County Prison in Greensburg, according to court records.
Mangol was released on an unsecured $10,000 bond.
None of the men had attorneys listed in court records.
All four are scheduled for preliminary hearings April 7 before New Kensington District Judge Frank J. Pallone Jr.
Brian C. Rittmeyer is a TribLive reporter covering news in New Kensington, Arnold and Plum. A Pittsburgh native and graduate of Penn State University's Schreyer Honors College, Brian has been with the Trib since December 2000. He can be reached at brittmeyer@triblive.com.
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