Presented by Public Information Officer Master Corporal Jeffrey R. Hale

Townsend- The Kent County Governor’s Task Force concluded a two week long investigation into illegal drug sales occurring at a Townsend area motel with the arrest of three men.

The investigation began after officers from the Kent County Governor’s Task Force began searching for Sean Gaitens, 20, of Middletown, who was wanted for a probation violation. As the search for Gaitens progressed, it was learned that he may be staying at the Pleasant Hill Motel, located in the 3000 block of DuPont Parkway, Townsend, and that he was involved in the sale of illegal drugs from the motel.

On Tuesday, June 13, 2017, Task Force members responded to the motel at which time they observed Gaitens exit a room and enter the front passenger seat of a white Dodge Nitro which had parked on the shoulder of Rt. 13 southbound in front of the motel. As the Dodge entered back onto the roadway, it was observed that Gaitens had failed to properly fasten his seatbelt. A stop of the vehicle was then conducted and Gaitens, who provided the Task Force members with a fictitious name, was taken into custody without incident. A computer check of the operator, later identified as  Robert Walcome, 38, of Newark, revealed that he was operating a vehicle while his license was suspended and also was wanted on an active capias. He was also taken into custody without incident. A subsequent search of the vehicle was then conducted and as a result, six bags of heroin and two strips of Suboxone were located. Sean Gaitens and Robert Walcome were then transported to Troop 9.

As Task Force Members were conducting the traffic stop of the Dodge Nitro, a red Hyundai was observed pulling into the lot of the motel. The male operator of the vehicle, later identified as Andrew Hubler, 24, of Millsboro, then exited the car and proceeded to knock on the door of the room that had previously been occupied by Sean Gaitens. Task Force Members then made contact with Hubler, and after further investigation, it was learned that he was in possession of illegal drugs. A search of Hubler’s Hyundai, with the assistance of a K-9 unit from the New Castle City Police Department, yielded 15,134 bags of heroin. He was then arrested by Task Force members and transported to Troop 9.

An administrative search of Sean Gaiten’s room was then conducted by officers of the Division of Probation and Parole at which time an additional 214 bags of heroin and $536.00 in suspect drug sale proceeds was located.

Sean Gaitens was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance in a Tier 5 Quantity, two counts of Possession with the Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance, Maintaining a Drug Property, Possession of a Controlled Substance in a Tier 1 Quantity, Conspiracy 2nd Degree, Criminal Impersonation, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was arraigned at JP Court 2 and committed to the James Vaughn Correctional Institution in default of $86,000.00 cash bail.

Robert Walcome was charged with two counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance, Criminal Solicitation 3rd Degree, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Driving While Suspended, and Failure to Properly Secure a Passenger with a Seatbelt. He was arraigned at JP Court 2 and released on $2000.00 unsecured bail.

Andrew Hubler was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance in a Tier 5 Quantity, Possession with the Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance, Possession of a Controlled Substance in a Tier 1 Quantity, Conspiracy 2nd Degree, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was arraigned at JP Court 2 and committed to the James Vaughn Correctional Institution in default of $75,000.00 cash bail.

Released: 061417 1900

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