Two charged in Martinsburg drug sting

Police say man fled after being stung with Taser

December 29, 2006|by MATTHEW UMSTEAD

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - A man suspected of dealing crack cocaine in Martinsburg allegedly attempted to flee from police Thursday, even after he was struck in the chest with a Taser dart, according to Berkeley County Magistrate Court records.

Another man allegedly involved in the undercover drug deal set up by members of the Eastern Panhandle Drug and Violent Task Force was arrested Thursday without incident, police said.

Aaron Lionel Smith, 32, of 128 Terrace St. in Martinsburg, was charged with obstructing an officer and distribution of a controlled substance (crack cocaine), according to records.

Che Anthony Harden, 37, of 402 S. Kentucky Ave. in Martinsburg, was charged with distribution of a controlled substance, according to records.

Police said they used the Taser on Smith when he refused to get out of the car he was driving on Winchester Avenue after the drug deal had taken place at the Winchester Avenue shopping plaza.

"Mr. Smith was struck in the chest with the Taser darts and was given a full cycle," according to a complaint filed by Martinsburg Police Department Detective S.F. Doyle. "(He) was incapacitated by the use of the Taser, but was able to drive the vehicle and subsequently caused the Taser darts to become removed from the Taser."

Police then pursued the vehicle south on Winchester Avenue, then onto Jefferson Street and New York Avenue, where it struck an embankment near Sheridan Avenue, according to the complaint. Smith was detained when he got out of the car, according to the complaint.

Smith refused medical treatment, police said.

Smith was released on $52,500 bond. Harden was being held at the Eastern Regional Jail on $50,000 bond.

- Matthew Umstead

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