Man jailed in North Huntingdon drug bust
A Wilkins man is being held without bail after North Huntingdon police said he was involved in a November drug deal, according to court papers.
Kenneth R. Rhodes Jr., 31, was arrested Thursday on charges of possession with intent to deliver, criminal use of a communication facility, witness retaliation and related offenses.
Township police said they worked with a confidential informant who requested Nov. 26 to buy nine bricks of heroin for $1,700 from Rhodes. The suspect drove to a Main Street home for the deal while authorities got into position inside and outside for a potential bust, according to court papers.
The confidential informant and Rhodes exchanged money. The suspect explained, as officers eavesdropped, that his supplier would be bringing the drugs and a phone conversation confirmed the supplier was on the way, according to court papers. That’s when authorities stepped in and said they found that Rhodes had the $1,700.
Police said they backed off and allowed the supplier to come inside just before 8 p.m. and the drugs were handed over to the confidential informant. Authorities said they recovered the cash and 10 bricks of suspected heroin and fentanyl.
The supplier was not identified by police in court papers. It was unclear if he was facing any charges.
Police found text messages on Rhodes’ phone showing that he communicated with the supplier and confidential informant to set up the transaction, according to court papers.
The next day, authorities said Rhodes posted on personal and public Facebook pages about a person who he believed was working with township police. He is accused of posting a photograph of that person, according to court papers.
An arrest warrant was issued Dec. 1. District Judge Wayne Gongaware denied Rhodes bail Thursday because he is a danger to the community, has an extensive criminal history and doesn’t have any ties to North Huntingdon, according to online court records.
Rhodes did not have an attorney listed. He is being held at the Westmoreland County Prison. A Feb. 23 preliminary hearing is set.
He was sentenced in October to one year on probation on a criminal trespass charge filed by Irwin police, according to online court records.
Renatta Signorini is a TribLive reporter covering breaking news, crime, courts and Jeannette. She has been working at the Trib since 2005. She can be reached at rsignorini@triblive.com.
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