Michael D. Warner, 36, of Long Beach, was sentenced to five years in prison for possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver.
On March 6, Long Beach Police Officer Rodney Nawn observed Warner, who Nawn knew to have a felony warrant, run from a vehicle and hide next to the balcony by a Shoreview Drive apartment. Nawn was able to take Warner into custody and located a methamphetamine pipe and four baggies of methamphetamine along with a baggie of suspect heroin. Nawn also located two cell phones.
"Because of Officer Nawn's diligent work in obtaining a warrant and locating information, which indicated Mr. Warner was a drug dealer, we were able to charge Mr. Warner with intent to deliver the methamphetamine rather than simple possession," Pacific County Prosecutor Mark McClain told the Herald.
This meant that rather than facing just over a year in jail on a class B felony, Warner faced a class B felony and a much longer prison sentence.
"The only way we were able to truly protect our community from this drug dealer, was because Officer Nawn's work in obtaining a search warrant and really finding the evidence, and then us not being afraid to hold Warner to this higher offense," McClain added.
After release from prison, Warner will be on continued supervision with the Department of Correction for a year and he will be required to complete drug treatment.