Townsend- New Castle County Probation and Parole and Kent County Governor’s Task Force have completed a two-week investigation into illegal narcotics sales occurring at a local Townsend motel which resulted in three arrest and seizure of 10,000 plus bags of heroin.
The investigation began when Probation Officers from New Castle County Probation (Hare's Corner Office) were actively searching for Probationer Sean Gaitens, of Middletown, who was wanted for Violation of Probation. On Monday, Probation Officers began coordinating with the Kent County Governor's Task Force after information was received that Gaitens may be hiding out at the Pleasant Hill Motel located Townsend and that he was involved in the sale of illegal drugs from the motel.
On Tuesday, June 13, 2017, multiple officers from Hares Corner Probation Office and the Kent County Governor's Task Force responded to the motel at which time they observed Gaitens leaving the motel in a white Dodge Nitro. As the car entered the roadway it was clear Gaitens had failed to properly fasten his seatbelt. Task Force officers conducted a vehicle stop and Gaitens was asked for his information. After providing officers with a fictitious name, Gaiden was taken into custody without incident. A computer inquiry was conducted by the operator, who was identified as Robert Walcome, of Newark. Mr. Walcome was found to have a suspended license as well as an active capias. He too was taken into custody without incident.
After both subjects were secure, a vehicle search was conducted and as a result, six bags of heroin and two strips of Suboxone were located. Sean Gaitens and Robert Walcome were then transported to Troop 9.
During the traffic stop, Task Force Members who were still monitoring the motel observed a red Hyundai pull into the motel. A male operator, later identified as Andrew Hubler, of Millsboro, exited the vehicle and proceeded to knock on the door of the room that was occupied by Sean Gaitens. Task Force Members then made contact with Hubler and located illegal narcotics in his possession. A subsequent search of Hubler’s vehicle was conducted with the assistance from a New Castle City K-9 Unit which resulted in the seizure of 15,134 bags of heroin. Mr. Hubler was then arrested by Task Force members and transported to Troop 9.
Probation Officers then conducted an administrative search of Sean Gaitens' room where they discovered an additional 214 bags of heroin as well as $536.00 in suspected drug sale proceed.
Sean Gaitens was charged with Violation of Probation, Possession of a Controlled Substance in a Tier 5 Quantity, two counts of Possession with the Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance, Maintaining a Drug Property, Possession of a Controlled Substance in a Tier 1 Quantity, Conspiracy 2nd Degree, Criminal Impersonation, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was arraigned at JP Court 2 and committed to the James Vaughn Correctional Institution in default of $86,000.00 cash bail.
Robert Walcome was charged with two counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance, Criminal Solicitation 3rd Degree, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Driving While Suspended, and Failure to Properly Secure a Passenger with a Seatbelt. He was arraigned at JP Court 2 and released on $2000.00 unsecured bail.
Andrew Hubler was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance in a Tier 5 Quantity, Possession with the Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance, Possession of a Controlled Substance in a Tier 1 Quantity, Conspiracy 2nd Degree, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was arraigned at JP Court 2 and committed to the James Vaughn Correctional Institution in default of $75,000.00 cash bail.
