Police: Surveillance leads to arrest of Arnold man on drug charges in Lower Burrell

A man with a history of felony convictions who is awaiting trial on bribery and other charges has been accused of dealing drugs by Lower Burrell police.

Anthony Marsalis Howell, 35, of the 1700 block of Constitution Boulevard in Arnold was charged with two felony counts of possession of drugs with the intent to deliver along with drug possession.

Howell was being detained in the Westmoreland County jail in lieu of a $100,000 cash bond. He faces a preliminary hearing before District Judge Cheryl Peck Yakopec on Oct. 4, according to court records.

A police detective wrote in the criminal complaint charging Howell that a surveillance operation was set up near a home in the 100 block of Claremont Drive in Lower Burrell after police received numerous complaints about drug activity at the house.

The home also was the site of a recent fatal drug overdose, and a search warrant for drugs was served there in the past, the complaint said.

During the weeks leading up to Howell’s arrest, officers said, they observed numerous instances of vehicles stopping at the house while the driver or passenger went inside for a few minutes before exiting and driving off.

Howell was a passenger in one of the vehicles that stopped at the house while police were watching, the complaint said. Police said they followed the Nissan sedan he was riding in to his home on Constitution Boulevard.

On Sept. 22, police received information from an informant that the Nissan was at the house on Claremont Drive with a woman driving and Howell in the passenger seat.

Howell was seen placing an object on the ground before leaving in the vehicle, the complaint said.

Officers said they arrived several minutes later and were able to view video surveillance identifying Howell.

They found a baggie of white power near a garbage can where Howell was seen placing an object, according to his arrest papers.

Police said there were 4.54 grams of cocaine in the bag, which was field tested and came back positive for the drug.

Court records show that Howell faces a nonjury trial in Westmoreland County Common Pleas Court in November on felony charges of bribery and drug possession along with two misdemeanor drug counts filed by Arnold police.

Howell pleaded guilty in 2018 to felony drug charges and counts of resisting arrest, tampering with evidence and marijuana possession.

In October, Howell was convicted of a felony count of fleeing from police along with two driving under the influence charges. He was sentenced to two years of probation, court records show.

Howell also pleaded guilty to felony forgery and other charges in 2014, according to court records.

Court records also show convictions for resisting arrest, marijuana possession and driving violations in 2008.