Man faces 6 felony cocaine charges
Published 9:04 am Wednesday, February 11, 2009
A 28-year-old Albert Lea man was charged in Freeborn County District Court Tuesday with six felony cocaine charges stemming from drug sales to a drug task force informant.
Orlando Carrero of College Street faces one count of first-degree cocaine sales, one count of second-degree cocaine sales and four counts of third-degree cocaine sales.
The first-degree charge alleges Carrero unlawfully sold at least 10 grams of cocaine during a 90-day period, and the second-degree controlled substance charge alleges he sold 3 grams or more of cocaine within a 90-day period, according to court papers.
The papers indicate the South Central Drug Task Force deputy with the Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office investigated narcotics trafficking by Carrero from June 24 through July 9 of 2008. A total of 11.3 grams of powder containing cocaine were sold to a task force informant, the documents state.
During Carrero’s first court appearance on the charges Tuesday, Assistant Freeborn County Attorney David Walker recommended that Carrero’s unconditional bail be set at $100,000 because of the serious nature of the charges and the repetitive nature of them. He did not recommend a conditional bail.
Freeborn County District Court Judge Steve Schwab approved Walker’s recommendation.
The first-degree cocaine sales charge carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine.
During the Tuesday appearance, Carrero was charged with one felony count of fifth-degree marijuana sales. Unconditional bail for this charge was set at $15,000.
Carrero is next scheduled to appear in court at 1 p.m. March 2.