Man charged with 12 drug crimes

AIKEN - A 31-year-old Aiken man is in custody on a dozen drug charges lodged by two police agencies.

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Sheriff's authorities had been looking for John K. Ingram, of the 100 block of Lawrence Street, for about two months, said Lt. Michael Frank, spokesman for the Aiken County Sheriff's Office.

The Aiken Department of Public Safety had warrants for his arrest, and had been on the lookout for Mr. Ingram since February.

He is facing "a lot of serious drug charges," Lt. Frank said.

Officers from the sheriff's office's special weapons and tactics team and from public safety found Mr. Ingram at a hotel shortly before 2 p.m. Sunday, according to Lt. Frank.

He was ordered to open the door, and complied without resistance, Lt. Frank said. He is being held at the Aiken County Detention Center on 12 charges. Five were filed by the sheriff's office, including trafficking cocaine and crack cocaine, possession of Valium and Piroxicam, and possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

Arrest warrants from the sheriff's office state that on Aug. 2, Mr. Ingram had more than 28 grams of cocaine, more than 10 grams of crack cocaine, Valium, Piroxicam and more than 28 grams of marijuana while on Chime Bell Church Road.

The remaining seven charges were filed by public safety and include possession of drug paraphernalia, possession with intent to distribute marijuana within half a mile of a school, and trafficking cocaine and crack cocaine, also within half a mile of a school.

Lt. David Turno, spokesman for the agency, said that the city's charges stem from an assault call Feb. 25.

An officer responded to a home on Limerick Drive, and at that time, Mr. Ingram was charged with lying to officers about his ex-girlfriend's identity and was released from custody on a courtesy summons.

Officers found drugs in the home and in a 1997 BMW, and his ex-girlfriend, Crystal Richardson, was arrested on drug charges. Police then issued arrest warrants for Mr. Ingram on similar charges.