Morning raid on borough house nets drug suspects
By PAT FRIDGEN Echo Pilot

Five people were arrested on drug charges Friday after a search warrant was served on this hosue at 429 E. Baltimore St.

A search warrant executed at 6:15 a.m. Friday morning at 429 E. Baltimore St. resulted in the arrest of five people on drug charges. Greencastle police took three men and two women into custody and four appeared before Magisterial District Judge Duane Cunningham during the course of the day.

In addition, two other females, one a juvenile, were to be charged by criminal summons, according to Police Chief John Phillippy.

The arrests followed a twomonth investigation by Greencastle police, the Franklin County Drug Task Force, the Franklin County Sheriff's Department, and the Waynesboro and Mercersburg police departments.

Charles Victor Wurtz, 31, was charged with possession of a controlled substance, a small amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia and presenting false identification. In the raid police found a set of camo scales and over 100 mini ziplock baggies, a mini smoking device with marijuana residue, a bottle containing three Oxycontin pills, a plastic bag with residue and two burnt marijuana cigarettes. Cunningham set his release at $15,000 straight bail while noting that the Philadelphia Police Department wanted him on similar charges and would have a detainer on Wurtz.

Misty Lynn Hammonds, 32, 429 E. Baltimore St., was charged with possession of a small amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia and presenting false ID. Police found an Advil bottle modified into a smoking device and containing marijuana residue on top of a dresser. She was assigned $5000 unsecured bail.

James Michael Shipley, 36, Frederick, Md. was charged with possession of a controlled substance, a small amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia and giving false ID. Police found a baggie of suspected marijuana and a white powder substance field-tested positive for cocaine in a dresser drawer. He received $20,000 straight bail.

Joshua Lee Woods, 28, Hagerstown, Md. was charged with possession of a small amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia and released on $5000 unsecured bail. In the search police found a baggie with marijuana in a nightstand.

Phillippy said the search resulted in evidence of drug and gang activity and the investigation continues. He added that he saw a potential for inroads for gang members which now might be nipped.

The preliminary hearing for Wurtz, Hammonds, Shipley and Woods was scheduled for March 18.

Lindsey Dawn Funt, 21, was also arrested for drug offenses and probation violation. She was immediately taken to Franklin County Jail.

The other two involved in the raid were Mindy Sue Emory, 36, and a 17-year-old juvenile, both from Greencastle, Phillippy said.

Preliminary arraignment

Shipley entered the courtroom of Magisterial District Court 39-3-05 accompanied by Greencastle Police officer Robert Petrunak the afternoon of March 14. He wore handcuffs attached to a chest belt, and ankle chains. He sat at a table, his bare arms revealing multiple tattoos.

Cunningham explained to Shipley that he had the right to an attorney, whether public or private, and the right to a preliminary hearing. That hearing would determine if there was enough evidence to show that Shipley was involved in the crime.

"It's prima facie evidence," Cunningham told him. "A crime has been committed and you're probably the person that did it."

Shipley told the judge that Hammonds was his sister and he was staying at her house. He tried to explain why he was there 'when the door was kicked in' but Cunningham said to hold it for the hearing.

The judge continued to inform him that he had a right to bail and the right to use the telephone.

"I don't have nobody to call," said Shipley, tearing up.

He then asked Hammonds, waiting in the hall, to try to reach his probation officer in Maryland. He said he had been incarcerated for a 1991 robbery and was just out of jail after serving seven years for an attempted robbery. He said he was getting treatment for drug addiction.

Petrunak told Hammonds bail would be a waste of money since Shipley would be in jail until this case was settled and then Maryland would take him into custody on its detainer for his violation of parole. He told Shipley Franklin County Jail was 'new and state of the art' but like all jails, overcrowded.

As they left the room Shipley grimaced from his bindings.

"You take smaller steps it won't hurt so bad," Petrunak said.

Cunningham later told Wurtz his rights, and that Philadelphia police would be issuing a detainer for him.

"If they're too slow, too bad for them," Wurtz responded. "If I make bail before the detainer is in force, they can't stop me."

He stated he had lived at the Baltimore Street address for three weeks and had been in jail for four years on aggravated assault.

"I left Philadelphia to get away from the stuff I'm used to. I smoke marijuana. That's what I do."

Public records indicate that a marriage license was recently issued for Charles Victor Wurtz and Lindsey Dawn Funt, both of Greencastle.

The house

429 E. Baltimore Street has been a cause of concern for neighbors for a year. Last April a resident spoke to the borough council about the number of tenants in the house and problems with parking. She had witnessed fighting among teenagers and adults who congregated on the property. Council president Charles Eckstine said he had received complaints as well.

Former borough manager Kenneth Myers said a rooming house was allowed in the area, zoned R-2.

The council promised to look into the zoning ordinance to make sure proper facilities were in place for the number of renters.

On Jan. 28, 2008 Misti Sisk, 32, was arrested at the house by Greencastle and Chambersburg police on outstanding warrants for public drunkenness and disorderly conduct.