Delaware State Police
News Release

Milford Man Jailed in Drug Bust – Guns a and Drugs Seized

Released Monday, January 12, 2009

Ellendale - On January 9, 2009 at approximately 3:00 pm, the Delaware State Police Sussex Drug Unit, Sussex Governors Task Force, and Dewey Beach Police Department K-9, concluded an undercover trafficking in cocaine investigation that involved the Milford and Ellendale areas.

During the course of the two-month investigation information was obtained by detectives that John E. Spangler, 48 of Meadowbrook Lane, Milford would be in possession of a large sum of cocaine on January 9, 2009. Furthermore, that he would be delivering this cocaine to a residence in Ellendale.

Acting on this information, detectives surveilled Spangler on Friday and observed him respond to the residence of Ronald P. Benton, 58 of Shawnee Road, Lincoln. Spangler went inside the home for a short period of time and exited with a package. Spangler then left and drove to the Ellendale area to a home on N. Old State Road. When he arrived, he pulled his vehicle off the roadway in front of a residence.

At this point, detectives attempted to make contact with Spangler. Several troopers, wearing highly visible Delaware State Police clothing, began to converge on Spangler’s vehicle when he acknowledged and ignored their commands. Spangler then placed his pick up truck in reverse and intentionally struck the front end of a non conventional Delaware State Police vehicle.

He then fled in his vehicle from police northbound on N. Old State Road and east onto Halflinger Road where he then proceeded to stop his vehicle. Troopers who were following the vehicle attempted to contact Spangler at which point he failed to comply with lawful orders to surrender and resisted arrest. After a brief struggle, Spangler was taken into custody without further incident. A search of the pick up resulted in the seizure of 3 grams of cocaine and several torn plastic baggies. In addition cocaine residue was located in the floorboard and door jam areas.

Subsequent the arrest, search warrants were then executed at Ronald Benton’s residence in Lincoln and Spangler’s residence in Milford.

• Recovered from Benton’s home was 180.1 grams of cocaine, 716 grams of marijuana, digital scales, drug paraphernalia, and a Smith and Wesson 9 mm.
• Recovered from Spangler’s residence was $7,410.00 in United States Currency.

            Also, during the search warrant execution at Benton’s residence, troopers contacted Kevin P. Sweeny, 54 of Eric Drive, Wilmington. He was found to be in possession of .8 grams of cocaine, .3 grams of marijuana, and marijuana pipe.

            As a result of the investigation the Delaware State Police have arrested the following persons:

1. John E. Spangler was arrested for Trafficking in Cocaine, Possession with Intent to Deliver Cocaine, Possession with Intent to Deliver Marijuana, Maintaining a Vehicle for Keeping Controlled Substances, Maintaining a Dwelling for Keeping Controlled Substances, Maintaining a Building Reckless Endangering (x3), Destruction of Evidence, Failure to Stop at Command, Resisting arrest, and Reckless Driving. He was remanded to the Sussex Correctional Institute in lack of $38,000 cash only bail.
2. Ronald P. Benton was arrested for Conspiracy 2^nd, Maintaining a Dwelling for Keeping Controlled Substances, Maintaining a Building for Keeping Controlled Substances, Possession With Intent to Deliver Cocaine, Possession of Cocaine, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was remanded to the Sussex Correctional Institute in lieu of a $20,000 secured bond.                
3. Kevin P. Sweeny was arrested for Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Marijuana, and 2 counts of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was released after posting a $2000.00 secured bail.

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