Celina police make drug bust, raid motel party

CELINA, Ohio (WANE)  Four people are facing charges in connection with a drug bust and raid on a party in a motel room Saturday night. 

The investigation began when the Celina Police Department received a complaint of suspicious activity at a motel room at America’s Best Value Inn. Officers checked the registered occupant of the room and began observing the area. A vehicle belonging to the room’s registered occupant was located on E. Market Street where it was stopped near the intersection of State Road 703. 

A K9 officer alerted for the presence of drugs in the car and officerssaid they found a small amount of marijuana. Passenger Lonnie Spence, 21, was in possession of over 30 grams of heroin. Another passenger, Danny Steen, was wanted on a probation violation and was held. A third passenger, Jeremy Sholler, 22, was also taken into custody. The driver of the car was released.

Officers then went to the motel room, where they reported finding three teenagers along with marijuana, the prescription drug Percocet, heroin, and a 22 caliber handgun. No information's being released on two of the suspects, ages 15 and 16, but information is being forwarded to the Mercer County Juvenile Prosecutor’s Office for the consideration of charges. The third teen, Alecksa Howell, 18, was charged with illegal possession of a prescription drug and was taken to the Mercer County Jail.

Additional charges are expected to be filed at a later date.