Suspected drug dealer placed in prison
A suspected drug dealer is behind bars following a drug investigation that targeted another alleged dealer in Butler.
Michael Lee Hutchinson, 22, of Butler is in the Butler County Prison on $150,000 bail while awaiting a hearing next month.
District Judge William Fullerton on Monday arraigned the defendant on felony charges of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility, and a misdemeanor charge of possession of a controlled substance.
The Butler County Drug Task Force arrested Hutchinson on Aug. 17 at an apartment on West Quarry Street where they had gone with a search warrant.
Authorities said they obtained the warrant after an investigation of the tenant, Claude T. Taylor III, 22, who they believe was selling drugs in Butler.
County Detective Tim Fennell, who heads the task force, described Taylor as a “mid-level dealer.” He characterized Hutchinson as an “associate” of Taylor.
Officers found Hutchinson and Taylor at the apartment.
A search of Hutchinson turned up a small plastic baggie containing one gram of suspected heroin in one of his pants pockets. He admitted the bag contained heroin, according to court documents.
He also had a cell phone. Fennell on Aug. 22 obtained a search warrant for the phone. A preliminary search of the phone turned up evidence that Hutchinson was using it for “drug trafficking,” documents said.
During the search of Taylor's apartment, officers found 14.25 grams of heroin, 6.3 grams of crack and 175.8 grams of marijuana.
Additionally, the task force seized $1,304 in currency, two digital scales and three other cell phones.
Hutchinson was arrested following the search and placed in the county prison on two probation violations.
Taylor was also arrested Aug. 17 and arraigned on multiple felony and misdemeanor counts of drug possession. He remains in the county prison on $150,000 bail.
Preliminary hearings for both defendants are set for Sept. 11.
