Following a tip that an Anchorage man on parole for drug charges might be in the Homer area trying to sell drugs, Homer Police on May 29 arrested the man, Michael Delpriore Jr., 32, after stopping him near his rental condominium on the Homer Spit.
They also arrested his traveling companion, Regina Johnson, 30, also of Anchorage. Both were charged with fourth-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance, a felony. Johnson faces two counts for alleged possession of methamphetamine and heroin and Delpriore one count for possession of cocaine.
The investigation also led to the arrests of two Homer residents, Jeremy Watson, 33, and Cora D. Moonin, 24, who live in the same Rochelle Road home. In an interview with police, Johnson was alleged to have said Delpriore sold $4,500 worth of heroin to Watson at his house. Watson and Moonin both face charges of second-degree weapons misconduct; second-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance, five counts; third-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance, three counts, all felonies; fifth-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance and sixth-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance.
According to criminal complaints filed by Sgt. Ryan Browning and Sgt. Lary Kuhns, after receiving a report that Delpriore was coming to Homer, police contacted his parole officer. The parole officer said Delpriore didn’t have permission to travel outside of Anchorage or the Matansuka-Susitna Borough area, and that he should be arrested if found in Homer. Delpriore is on probation for prior charges of third-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance, third-degree misconduct involving weapons and first-degree attempted misconduct involving weapons.
Police discovered Delpriore might be staying with Johnson and found out he had rented a gray 2012 Ford Fusion. Police saw the Fusion leaving the condominium complex about 12:30 p.m. May 29 and pulled it over with Johnson and Delpriore in the car.
Kuhns interviewed Johnson. Kuhns wrote that Johnson told him she used heroin and had heroin and meth in her purse. She also said she and Delpriore had gone to “Jeremy’s” house on Rochelle Road and identified “Jeremy” as Watson, saying Delpriore sold Watson about $4,500 in heroin.
Police got a warrant to search the Rochelle Road home and contacted Watson, Moonin and two other people. Watson admitted to being a heroin user, but said Delpriore did not sell him drugs.
During the search, police alleged finding a small safe with a loaded .22 caliber long rifle pistol, two baggies of brown heroin weighing 1.4 grams, a half-gram of cocaine, plastic baggies, a digital scale and papers and letters belonging to Moonin. In Watson’s bedroom police said they also found loose prescription drugs, including methylphenidate hydrocholoride, or Ritalin; oxycodone, hydrocodone, oxymorphone, all powerful pain relievers; and alprazolam, or Xanax. Police said they also found 1.3 grams of meth in the living room and 1.9 grams of marijuana in Watson’s bedroom. Browning wrote that Moonin told him she got heroin from Watson and that he gave her the pills police found, using them for dental pain.
During a search of Delpriore and Johnson for weapons, police said they found Delpriore to have $4,000 in cash and Johnson $270 in cash inside underwear attached to her cell phone with a rubber band. Police served a search warrant on her purse and found 3.2 grams of meth and .7 grams of heroin.
One of the people found at Watson’s house had $1,300 in cash. Police said an investigation continues and further charges might be forthcoming.
Michael Armstrong can be reached at michael.armstrong@homernews.com.
