2 charged in alleged drug conspiracy
Two Butler residents face felony drug charges after police say a September search warrant at their home turned up large numbers of unused stamp bags and several illicit drugs.
Matthew Lee Summerville, 42, and Lea Marie Parrish, 43, are charged with felony criminal conspiracy; three counts each of possession with intent to deliver and possession of a controlled substance; and possession of drug paraphernalia after police allegedly found several illegal drugs and large numbers of unused stamp bags similar to those used for selling opioids in Butler.
Summerville faces an additional two counts of possession of a controlled substance, as well as a charge for tampering with evidence.
Three law enforcement agencies were involved in the Sept. 15 execution of a search warrant at Summerville's and Parrish's apartment, according to a police affidavit, which began at 6 a.m. Police used a battering ram to enter the apartment after the two did not answer repeated knocks and an announcement via loudspeaker, police said.
Upon entering the house, police say they found Summerville exiting the bathroom and took him in to custody. When officers entered the master bedroom, the affidavit states, they saw “a human-shaped outline under the bed's comforter,” which turned out to be Parrish.
After the two were taken into custody, police say they found 12.14 grams of methamphetamine, 3.38 grams of fentanyl and 4.67 grams of crack. In the bathroom, police say, they found four full white stamp bags and a container of various pills officers identified as oxycodone and Klonopin.
Police further searched the master bedroom, where the affidavit states they found a large number of unused pink stamp bags and a large number of unused white and red stamp bags, both being “consistent with the packaging materials used in the distribution of heroin and fentanyl in the Butler City area.”
The affidavit further states police found multiple digital scales, including one with white residue.
Parrish and Summerville remain in Butler County Prison, Parrish in lieu of $25,000 bail and Summerville in lieu of $50,000 bail.
