Two drug busts in Sitka led to indictments last month. According to court filings, on January 13, Sitka Police Officer Parker White pulled over 41-year-old Joshua Coon for operating a vehicle with expired tags. Officer White allegedly observed drug paraphernalia in the rear seat of the vehicle, and secured a warrant to search the car and its occupants. Officers found around 10 suspected fentanyl pills on the passenger, 37-year-old Stormy Powell, and over 50 of the same pills on Coon, along with additional paraphernalia and a ledger with a note that said the price for a pill was $25.  

Both Coon and Powell were indicted by a Sitka Grand Jury on January 18 for misconduct involving a controlled substance in the second degree, a Class A felony, for intent to distribute oxycodone and/or fentanyl. 

(Note: Joshua Coon accepted a plea agreement and was convicted by the state on May 10, 2023 on two felony counts of misconduct involving a controlled substance and violating conditions of release. He was sentenced to 22 months flat time in prison on the drug charge, and one month for violating conditions of release. He was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine.)

On January 10, 33-year-old Jacquelyn Gravely and 28-year-old Scott Vincent Thomas were arrested for allegedly using methamphetamine in the Crescent Harbor bathroom, which is within 500 feet of a school. On January 18, both Gravely and Scott were indicted by a Sitka Grand Jury on two counts each for misconduct involving a controlled substance in the third degree– both Class B felonies.  

Two Sitkans were also indicted on felony assault charges last month. 27-year-old Andre Haas was arrested on January 15 for allegedly brandishing a firearm at a person, and damaging property . Haas was arrested at the Sitka Airport, where officers allegedly found a handgun in his backpack, which was later confirmed stolen. 

Two days later, Maxwell Marshal Shellabarger was arrested for assaulting a woman in her home on January 17.

Both Haas and Shellabarger were indicted by a Sitka Grand Jury on January 26. Haas for one count of assault in the third degree and a count of theft in the second degree, both Class C felonies. Shellabarger was indicted for one count of assault in the second degree (a Class B felony) and two counts of assault in the third degree, Class C felonies. 

Trial dates for all defendants are pending.