Man is released pending resolution
A Pittsburgh man held in the Butler County Prison on drug distribution charges, was released after his bail was modified in Butler County Court on Wednesday.
Jemeal M. Youngblood, 19, was released on his own recognizance after the hearing before Judge Timothy McCune.
Youngblood had been held on $50,000 bail on charges of two counts of felony possession with intent to deliver, one count of criminal conspiracy, misdemeanor possession of marijuana and two counts of misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance following an incident on March 22.
His attorney, Michael Jewert, said the parties continue to productively work on a plea agreement, and Youngblood will be living with his parents in Pittsburgh and has employment available when he gets out.
Assistant District Attorney Terri Schultz said she was not opposed to the modification because of Youngblood's zero prior record, and many of the co-defendants will also be entering pleas in the case.
She also said all of the drugs involved in the case were found on another person, and while the charges still remain, they are being worked out.
Youngblood was charged alongside Marcus A. Wells of Pittsburgh; Breanna J. Aldrich of Connellsville; Bryant K. Wells Jr. of Pittsburgh; and Maryrose M. Hatfield of Butler Township, after an incident on March 22.
The Butler County Drug Task Force filed the charges after a search warrant was executed at an apartment at 600 Hansen Ave., Lyndora, arresting the resident and four others.
Officers seized 215 stamp bags of suspected heroin, about nine grams of crack cocaine packaged for sale, a small amount of marijuana and $664 in cash as well as multiple cell phones, according to court records.
Police had been investigating alleged drug sales at that apartment since mid-February.
Bryant Wells Jr. previously pleaded guilty to two felony counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance — heroin and crack cocaine.
The plea agreement calls for a sentence of 24 to 48 months in state prison, and Wells Jr. is scheduled for sentencing today.
Wells Jr. continues to be held on $75,000 bail; Marcus Wells on $50,000 bail; and Hatfield on $25,000 bail. Aldrich posted her $25,000 bail the day after the charges.
