June 8, 2015 at 4:43 p.m.
Alleged drug dealer taken to hospital for cocaine 'extraction'
Alleged drug dealer taken to hospital for cocaine 'extraction'
Desmond L. Love appeared in Branch II of Oneida County Circuit Court on June 4, charged with possession with intent to deliver cocaine, a class E felony. He was arrested May 29, along with his brother Tommy L. Love Jr., 26, as part of an investigation by the Northcentral Drug Enforcement Group (NORDEG) that included a controlled buy of cocaine.
At their initial appearance before Judge Michael Bloom, the Loves were charged with conspiracy to commit manufacture or delivery of cocaine less than 1 gram, possession with intent to deliver cocaine 1-5 grams and possession of drug paraphernalia. Tommy Love also had a repeater enhancer added to two of his charges.
At that appearance, Assistant District Attorney Steve Michlig said Desmond Love was not the "primary actor" in the crimes, and he was given a $2,500 cash bond while his older brother had bond set at $10,000.
The new charge arose when NORDEG investigators listened to a recorded conversation between Love and a woman with a phone number in the Milwaukee area. That conversation led the investigators to believe he had some cocaine or other drugs hidden in a body cavity. After a second monitored call to the woman where Love allegedly said "I think it's coming out," according to a police report, he was taken from his cell and questioned by NORDEG investigators.
At the same time, another NORDEG investigator applied for a body cavity search warrant, which Bloom signed. Love was then taken to Ministry St. Mary's Hospital.
An X-ray caused the staff to be"concerned about an object they had seen in the prostate area of Love's body," according to the report. A physician assistant advised Love and the investigators waiting with him that he "would have to insert a camera into Love's rectum to see if the object that was on the x-ray was contraband," the report continued.
At this point, Love asked to speak to an investigator alone.
According to the report, Love then allegedly admitted to the deputy that "it's up there." According to the report he explained that he had hidden approximately two grams of powdered cocaine inside his body on May 15 when he was stopped by officers from the Milwaukee Police Department. He also told the deputy that he had tried to get it out on his own but was unsuccessful.
After a nurse gave him an enema, Love was able to pass a double-wrapped bag of cocaine "the size of a ping pong ball." After further examination revealed no other contraband, he was medically cleared and taken back to jail.
When investigators examined the items in the baggie, all of which tested positive for cocaine, instead of powdered cocaine, 14 individually wrapped rocks of crack cocaine weighing 6.9 grams were allegedly found.
At his initial appearance on the new charge June 4, Michlig asked Bloom to set a more substantial cash bond.
"On Monday, I described Desmond Love as perhaps the follower, that his brother was perhaps the real mover and shaker, as it may be. But I think the evidence demonstrates that he is actively involved in the distribution of cocaine," Michlig said.
Not only did Love have the cocaine secreted in his body; the rocks were "individually wrapped," Michlig noted.
"I think this is clear indication that Desmond Love is a cocaine dealer, and we ask the court that it set a higher cash bail than the $2,500 it did on Monday," Michlig concluded.
Love disputed that the cocaine found at the hospital warranted new charges.
"It's just more evidence," he said. "I swallowed that cocaine, I didn't stick it."
Bloom disagreed with Love's assertion, and agreed with Michlig on the need for a higher cash bond.
"This new evidence, as you say, and it is new evidence of a new crime, does cast a new light. Someone who is willing, either by swallowing or suppositing into their gastrointestinal tract for purposes of secreting it from the powers that be, suggests a more full-blown involvement than merely being along for the ride," Bloom said.
On the new charge, the judge set a $7,500 cash bond, and set the matter over until this week when Love's other adjourned initial appearance was already scheduled.
"So, your honor, you just added another $7,500," Love asked?
"I added another $7,500. So both bails combined would be a total of $10,000," Bloom clarified.
Love then asked for a signature bond
"For the reasons stated, that request is denied," Bloom replied.
If convicted of all charges, Love faces up to of 37 1/2 years in prison.
Jamie Taylor may be reached at [email protected].
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