Delaware State Police

Superintendent Colonel William Crotty

Sussex Drug Detectives Arrest Three Suspects Following Search Warrant

Date Posted: Monday, September 18th, 2023

Arrest

The Delaware State Police arrested Anthony Morris, 21, Christiana Sturgis, 18, and a 17-year-old male, all of Frankford, Delaware, for multiple drug and gun charges following a search warrant at a residence in Frankford on Friday morning.

On September 15, 2023, at approximately 6:00 a.m., Sussex Special Investigations Detectives with the assistance of the Delaware State Police Special Operations Response Team, Troop 4 Patrol, and Probation and Parole executed a search warrant at a residence on the 34800 block of North Branchwood Place in Frankford. The search warrant was obtained following a multiple-month-long drug investigation of Anthony Morris, who was suspected of the large-scale distribution of narcotics. The home was occupied by five adults and two juveniles. Morris and the 17-year-old male were taken into custody without incident. Christiana Sturgis was taken into custody without injury after she resisted arrest.

A search of the home led to the discovery of the following items:

Approximately 4.88 grams of crack cocaine
Approximately 2.81 grams of cocaine
Approximately 38.87 grams of marijuana
Approximately 551 bags containing approximately 3.875 grams of heroin
Approximately $6,377 in suspected drug dealing proceeds
Four firearms
Numerous rounds of ammunition
Various paraphernalia to include digital scales and distribution/packaging materials

All three suspects are prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition. They were taken to Troop 4, where they were charged with the following crimes:

Anthony Morris:

Morris

Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Felony) – 2 counts
Unlawful to Operate or Attempt to Operate a Clandestine Laboratory (Felony)
Possession of a Firearm or Ammunition by a Person Prohibited (Felony) – 3 counts
Possession With Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance (Felony)
Conspiracy Second Degree (Felony)
Endangering the Welfare of a Child
Possession of a Controlled or Counterfeit Substance
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Morris was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $69,000 cash bond.

Christiana Sturgis:

Sturgis

Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Felony) – 2 counts
Possession With Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance in a Tier 2 Quantity (Felony)
Unlawful to Operate or Attempt to Operate a Clandestine Laboratory (Felony)
Possession With Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance (Felony) – 3 counts
Possession of a Controlled Substance in a Tier 2 Quantity (Felony)
Possession of a Deadly Weapon by a Person Prohibited Who Also Possesses a Controlled Substance (Felony) – 2 counts
Conspiracy Second Degree (Felony)
Endangering the Welfare of a Child
Resisting Arrest
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Sturgis was arraigned by the Justice of the Peace Court 2 and committed to Delores J. Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution on an $82,500 cash bond.

17-year-old male:

Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Felony) – 2 counts
Possession With Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance in a Tier 2 Quantity (Felony)
Unlawful to Operate or Attempt to Operate a Clandestine Laboratory (Felony)
Possession With Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance (Felony) – 3 counts
Possession of a Controlled Substance in a Tier 2 Quantity (Felony)
Possession of a Deadly Weapon by a Person Prohibited Who Also Possesses a Controlled Substance (Felony) – 2 counts
Conspiracy Second Degree (Felony)
Endangering the Welfare of a Child
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

The juvenile was arraigned by the Sussex County Family Court and committed to Stevenson House Detention Center on a $40,200 secured bond.