Geauga County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested three adults from Ashtabula County Tuesday in Claridon Township on alleged heroin trafficking and drug abuse-related charges.
Michael K. Smith, 31, of Hartsgrove Township, and Amanda M. Hagan, 23, of Orwell Township, had reportedly been hiding out at a residence at 11467 Claridon Troy Road after being wanted in Ashtabula County for failure to appear in court for felony drug charges, said Lt. John Hiscox in a statement.
“Detectives received an anonymous tip they were there and knew they were fugitives from Ashtabula awaiting sentencing on their charges over there, but were hiding over here,” said Chief Deputy Scott Hildenbrand Wednesday afternoon. “And we don’t allow that.”
At 12:17 p.m. Tuesday, detectives observed Smith and Hagan leave the residence along with Sean A. Steigerwald, 29, of Windsor Township, and stopped both vehicles, Hiscox said.
“Both Smith and Hagan were arrested without incident,” he said. “During a search of Smith and Hagan, detectives located numerous bags of heroin, two scales, drug abuse instruments and cash. Detectives located a needle and a spoon on Steigerwald’s person and he was arrested for drug abuse instruments, a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.”
Smith and Hagan were charged with trafficking in heroin, a fourth-degree felony, Hiscox said.
“They had admitted that they had been selling it,” Hildenbrand said, of Hagan and Smith. “Because some of the bags had just residue in it and some of them had heroin in it. It sounds like they were going and getting it and then breaking it up … using some, and selling it to feed their habit. They admitted to selling it in Ashtabula and Geauga counties.”
All three suspects appeared in Chardon Municipal Court Wednesday morning.
Steigerwald’s bond was set at $500, which he posted Wednesday and was released, according to court records.
Smith’s bond was set at $50,000 cash or surety. Hagan’s bond was set at $20,000 cash or surety. Neither have posted bond as of Wednesday afternoon.
