SHARON — A Sharon man pleaded not guilty to a federal drug charge Monday, 10 days after Mercer County District Attorney’s Office gave up its bid to prosecute him.
A federal grand jury indicted Dexter M. McKelvin, 26, of 422 Reed St., Sharon, Dec. 29 on a charge of possession of more than 5 grams of crack cocaine with intent to deliver, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Pittsburgh.
McKelvin, formerly of Hermitage and Waycross, Ga., was arraigned Monday. At his initial appearance Feb. 1 before a federal magistrate, McKelvin waived his right to a detention hearing, agreeing to be held in federal custody until the resolution of his case.
The charges stem from a June 30 search of McKelvin’s home. Sharon police said agents of Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole found suspected crack in McKelvin’s home. Police said they seized three plastic bags containing 19.7 grams — about two-thirds of an ounce — of crack, 12 suspected ecstasy pills and drug paraphernalia.
Sharon police initially filed charges, but prosecutors said Jan. 29 they did not wish to prosecute McKelvin.
Mercer County District Attorney’s Office typically allows federal charges to proceed over local charges because the federal government has stiffer sentences, more flexible search and seizure rules and greater investigative resources.
