Posted 8:55 pm Friday, April 25, 2008
Rusk Family Members Busted For Dealing Drugs
RUSK - A grandfather-grandson drug-dealing duo were taken into custody by Cherokee County Sheriff's Department officials Tuesday after executing a narcotics search warrant, Investigator Chris White said.
Deputies served a search warrant at 74-year-old Finus Sturns' residence west of Reklaw around 2:30 p.m. and found a little more than an ounce of suspected crack cocaine, less than two ounces of marijuana and $3,000 cash. Sturns' grandson, Ricardo Pereles Jr., 33, also of Reklaw, was taken into custody after a brief attempt to run and dispose of the crack, White said. Two investigators ran him down and most of the evidence was recovered, White said.
Investigators had conducted weeklong surveillance of the house after receiving a tip from community members who noticed suspicious activity and a high traffic volume at the home, White said.
Sturns and Pereles have been arraigned. Sturns has been charged with manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance, while Pereles faces numerous charges including manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance, tampering with physical evidence and evading arrest. Sturns and Pereles remain in Cherokee County Jail on $25,000 and $50,000 bonds, respectively.
