Lawrence County Special Investigations Unit Executes Two Search Warrants

The Lawrence County District Attorney’s Office recently announced the execution of two search warrants by the Special Investigations Unit that took place in New Castle according to its social media page.

Operation What I Got: On Friday, May 14, 2021, Detectives from the Lawrence County District Attorney’s Office Special Investigations Unit, New Castle City Narcotics, New Castle City CIRT, Union Township Police Department and Neshannock Township Police Department executed a search warrant at 504 Reynolds Street, Apt 2, in the City of New Castle. At the time of the search the residence was occupied by Julian Jackson AKA “Fatty” and Carly Margel. Officers discovered 23 grams of suspected heroin, 48.6 grams of suspected crack cocaine, 15.6 grams of suspected crystal meth, 8 suboxone strips, 29 assorted narcotic pills, 8 digital weigh scales, $2,352 in United States Currency and 6 loaded handguns. Both Jackson and Margel were taken into custody and will be charged with the 5 counts of possession with intent to deliver, 1 count of drug paraphernalia and 6 counts of persons not to possess a firearm.

Operation The Golden One: On May 7, 2021, members of the Lawrence County District Attorney’s Office Special Investigations Unit (SIU), New Castle City Narcotics Department, Union Township Police Department, Shenango Township Police Department and Pulaski Township Police Department executed a narcotics search warrant on the El Dorado motel. Seized during the search was 22 grams of suspected heroin, 6.7 grams of suspected crack cocaine, and 2 digital weigh scales. The occupant of the room, Douglas “DJ” McDaniel, was taken into custody and will be charged with 2 counts of Possession with Intent to Deliver and 1 count of Drug Paraphernalia. As officers were executing the warrant, a strong odor of suspected marijuana was emanating from an adjacent room. A second search warrant was obtained and during that search a small amount of marijuana and a stolen firearm was seized. Both occupants of the room, Destiny Houk and Timothy Hill, will be charged with firearm violations and receiving stolen property.

The Mission of the District Attorney’s Office is to pursue justice for the residents of Lawrence County and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The District Attorney is both the public prosecutor and the chief law enforcement officer of the county. He is charged with the duty of investigating as well as prosecuting all cases alleging criminal conduct. His authority to investigate the facts before acting is discretionary and his jurisdiction is countywide. No one may institute criminal proceedings without the concurrence, approval and/or authorization of the District Attorney. The position of District Attorney is established by the Pennsylvania Constitution and the District Attorney is elected to a four year term. The District Attorney acts both as a county officer and as a state officer in performing the duties of the office.