Petersburg police make several meth busts

PETERSBURG – Local, state and federal law enforcement made two arrests last week associated with the possession and distribution of methamphetamine.

After the Petersburg Court issued a warrant June 6, police searched 214 North Nordic Drive Apt # 5 and found suspect Mao Sovanmony, 43, hiding in a closet.

“In the closet where Mao was hiding, a knife was found, multiple baggies, a scale and more packaged suspected methamphetamine,” a criminal complaint states. “The total weight of methamphetamine recovered was approximately 60.00 grams. Officers

recovered approximately 45 baggies of methamphetamine along with loose methamphetamine on the ground in the closet.”

During an interview with police, Mao stated he was in Petersburg from California and he was looking to buy a business and had been living at 214 North Nordic since his arrival in town.

The same day, police searched David Fogle, 41, at the Towne Trailer Court. After a search to no avail, police were releasing Fogle’s hands from handcuffs when Officer Holmgrain noticed something fall out of his hand.

“While Fogle was being released from his handcuffs Sergeant Holmgrain saw a small white object fall from Fogle’s hand,” a criminal complaint states. “Fogle stepped on the object. After asking Fogle to move Sergeant Holmgrain found a small zip-lock style baggy. In the baggie was a crystal like substance.”

Fogle was then arrested and later said he found the baggy earlier in the day and placed it in his waistband.

The approximate weight of the bag was 1.15 grams, according to the complaint.

Sovanmony was arrested and charged with Misconduct Involving a Controlled Substance in the third degree with the intent to distribute and Fogle was charged with Misconduct Involving a Controlled Substance in the fourth degree—both Class C felonies.

Jonathan Chim, 25, was also arrested in association with Sovanmony, a felon with a history of sexual assault and vehicle theft, for violating probation by associating with Sovanmony and consuming a controlled substance.

Sovanmony and Fogle appeared in Petersburg court Monday for a felony first appearance. No pleas are entered until they’ve been indicted by a grand jury or the case moves into Superior Court.

According to a Petersburg Police report, the investigation is continuing and more charges are expected.

“A large part of this success is thanks to the local citizens of Petersburg,” the release states. “Investigators are encouraging citizens to call and report suspicious behavior to the police department. Citizens can remain anonymous. Please call the SEACAD office at 907-500-0876 or the Petersburg Police Department at 772-3838.”

Sovanmony is currently being held on a $50,000 cash bail.