North Huntingdon traffic stop nets fugitive wanted in New Kensington drug death
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North Huntingdon police on Monday arrested a man wanted for nearly two years in connection with the drug overdose death of a New Kensington woman.
Police say Tre-Ron Arnez Jackson, 27, of Pittsburgh was among three men accused of selling and delivering drugs that New Kensington police allege killed Shanelle Waugh on Feb. 13, 2018. Jackson and New Kensington residents Gust Robert Stone, 40, and Matthew Covey, 49, were charged with drug delivery resulting in death.
North Huntingdon Officer Shane Rebel said in court documents he was patrolling Route 30 near the Huntingdon Inn Motel because of complaints about people selling drugs in the area. Rebel said he saw a vehicle drive into the parking lot and an apparent “hand exchange” of drugs occurred a few minutes later with a motel occupant.
Rebel reported he followed the vehicle onto Route 30 west and pulled it over for an expired inspection sticker.
Rebel said when he activated his emergency lights, he saw the passenger in the vehicle “begin shaking his head in a no motion.”
“The passenger appeared extremely nervous, like he had seen a ghost,” Rebel reported.
Both the driver and Jackson agreed to a search, police said.
Rebel said he discovered a brick of heroin stamped “Family Guy” inside Jackson’s left pocket and $1,800, a small amount of marijuana and a smoking pipe.
Police also seized a plastic bag of suspected crack cocaine and a digital scale. Jackson was arrested, but police released the driver, citing an ongoing investigation.
In an affidavit related to Waugh’s death, New Kensington Detective Sgt. Sam Long said Jackson sold Stone drugs that contained heroin and fentanyl. Their arrest papers say Stone sold the same drugs to Covey, who then brought the drugs to Waugh’s house on Rebecca Street.
Cases against Covey and Stone are pending, according to court records.
District Judge Wayne Gongaware ordered Jackson held in the county jail without bond. He faces multiple charges of possession and delivery of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, providing false information to a police officer and possession of drug paraphernalia. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 16.
A preliminary hearing on the drug delivery resulting in death charge is scheduled for Oct. 1.