After a joint investigation by the Milford Police Department Drug, Vice and Organized Crime Unit along with the Delaware State Police Kent County Governor’s Task Force a Frederica couple is behind bars on drug arrests.
On February 4, Milford Police Department posted on social media that there was police action in the area of Walmart in Milford. The investigation had revealed that Maurice Parker, 30 of Frederica, had been involved in the sale of illicit drugs and located Parker ina. Jeep Grand Cherokee in the parking lot of Walmart. When detectives contacted Parker in the parking lot, he accelerated and struck a police vehicle.
The Jeep came to a stop after striking a snowbank and another parked vehicle, but Parker attempted to flee on foot but was taken into custody. A search of his vehicle revealed approximately 42 grams of suspected methamphetamine, approximately 50 grams of suspected crack/cocaine, approximately 29.36 grams of suspected powder cocaine, an AR style pistol, .223 caliber ammunition, a silver BB gun, a large knife and drug paraphernalia.
Detectives then responded to Parker’s residence in the 4100 block of Barratt’s Chapel Road in Frederica. When detectives arrived, they contacted Ashley Zernell, 34, and conducted a search of the residence. During the search, detectives found a flash-bang grenade, a black Smith and Wesson handgun, approximately 144.48 grams of suspected methamphetamine, approximately 313.86 grams of suspected marijuana, a large capacity magazine and various quantities of ammunition. Zernell was taken into custody without incident.
Parker was charged with possession of large capacity magazine; possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony; manufacture, delivery or possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, tier 3; possession of a controlled substance, tier 3; possession, purchase, own or control of a firearm by a person prohibited; possession, purchase, own or control of ammunition by a person prohibited; carrying a concealed deadly weapon – firearm; possession of a destructive weapon – bomb; untraceable firearms; illegal gang participation; controlled substance tier 1; resisting arrest; conspiracy second degree; and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Parker was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $200,100 cash bond.
Zernell was charged with possession of a large capacity magazine; possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony; manufacture delivery or possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance; possession of a controlled substance, tier 3; possession, purchase, own or control of a firearm by a person prohibited; possession of a destructive weapon – bomb; giving a firearm ot a person prohibited; possession fo a controlled substance, tier 1; Conspiracy 2nd degree; possession of drug paraphernalia.
She was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2 and released on $11,100 unsecured bond with pre-trial supervision.
NOTE:Â Persons named in this report are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law.
