Silver Lake Man Arrested in Undercover Cocaine Sting
Posted
Craig Brosman-
SILVER LAKE – On Monday Koscuisko County law enforcement arrested Fernando O. Paredes on drug related charges.
Paredes, 36, of 3211 Myrtle Glen Drive, Silver Lake, was linked to the sale and possession of cocaine during a Nov. 14 sting operation by the Kosciusko County Drug Task Force. Paredes was preliminarily charged with two counts of dealing in cocaine, a Class B felony, and two counts of possession of cocaine. Once Paredes was taken into custody DTF officers found that he had an outstanding warrant for his arrest in Marion County.
On Nov. 14 DTF officers drove an undercover officer to Paredes' home in Silver Lake, where the officer had arranged to buy cocaine. The officer was wired with an audio recorder so that the officers could record and monitor any conversations during the buy.
The officer spoke with Paredes, discussed prices and amounts and purchased cocaine.
According to the charges filed, the second count of dealing in cocaine came from another buy that was arranged the next day on Nov. 15. The second count of possession of cocaine also stemmed from the second buy.
DTF officers received a warrant to arrest Paredes on Nov. 30, the same day charges were filed and officers spoke during a probable cause hearing. The charges were amended on Dec. 2 to add the second count of dealing in cocaine and the second count of possession of cocaine.
Kosciusko County Sheriff Rocky Goshert said tht he wished to thank the concerned citizens who contacted law enforcement and began the entire investigation.
Paredes was booked into Kosciusko County Jail at 11:52 p.m. on Monday night on $50,000 surety bond. Paredes is still in jail at press time.
