A Chandler man facing three felony charges related to trafficking, cultivation and maintaining a place for keeping and selling illegal drugs had made his initial appearance and a pre-preliminary hearing has been set.
Formal felony charges were filed in July in Lincoln County District Court against Stephen Anthony Ormsby, 37.
Originally, a $75,000 bench was issued for his arrest on charges of aggravated trafficking illegal drugs; cultivation of a controlled substance; and maintaining a place for keeping/ selling a controlled substance.
A $40,000 bond has been set for Ormsby and he made his initial appearance before Special Judge Emily Mueller Aug. 25. She scheduled his pre-preliminary hearing for 1:30 p.m. on Oct. 13.
In count 1, Ormsby is accused of knowingly possessing an excessive amount of approximately 42 pounds of processed marijuana, a controlled dangerous substance in Schedule 1 of the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substance Act.
Count 2 charges him with knowingly cultivating marijuana, botanically known as cannabis sativa L., from which a controlled dangerous substance may be derived, located in Chandler in Lincoln County that belonged to him.
In count 3, Ormsby is accused of maintaining a place for keeping, selling a controlled substance and maintaining a house located at 940802 S. 3388 Road in Chandler in Lincoln County, which place is a place resorted for the purpose of keeping drugs for distribution, such substances being marijuana with the knowledge of the defendant.
Special Agent Anthony Lee with the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics states that he and OBN Agent David Jehle have been conducting a joint investigation with Indiana State Police since Oct. 28, 2021, into the alleged criminal activities of Ormsby.
In the affidavit, it reported that Ormsby has been participating in violations including traffi cking in illegal drugs, possession of a firearm while in the commission of a felony and maintaining a dwelling place where CDS is kept.
On Oct. 28, 2021 Agent Jehle was notified by Indiana State Police that Ormsby had been pulled over during a traffic stop and a significant amount of marijuana was found.
The Indiana State Police had discovered that Ormsby had 9.5 pounds of marijuana, an additional 320 grams of marijuana in 32 glass jars, 36 grams of marijuana, in 18 plastic containers, 600 grams in 20 packages of THC edibles and 20 grams in 20 packages each containing a THC vape pen.
The affidavit points out that Agent Jehle conducted a search within law enforcement indices for Ormsby and found the majority of Ormsby’s criminal history occurred in the state of New York. \\He discovered several prior criminal violations.
The affidavit further states that on Nov. 2, 2021, Agent Lee met with Lincoln County District Judge Cindy Ashwood and obtained a search warrant for Ormsby’s residence.
A week later, on Nov. 9, 2021, OBN agents with the assistance of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office conducted a knock and announce search warrant at Ormsby’s residence.
Agent Lee spotted Ormsby looking out a front window, then Ormsby disappeared and after a couple of seconds he opened the front door.
Ormsby surrendered and reportedly was detained without incident.
According to the affidavit, agents discovered the following the search throughout his residence.
A total of 237 marijuana plants located in various rooms of the residence; 42 pounds of processed marijuana; agents seized four firearms including a handgun, AK-47 rifle, a Glock pistol and an AR-15 rifle along with two armor/tactical vests.