ST. GEORGE– A St. George man with an outstanding warrant for his arrest, carrying a $25,000 cash-only bail, found himself at the wrong place at the wrong time Saturday evening when police happened to find him while searching for someone else. The man was arrested for the warrant and numerous drug-related charges after police allegedly found drugs tucked away in his leg brace.
Around 5 p.m., officers responded to the Harmon’s parking lot, 1189 E. 700 South, in search of two people involved in a possible assault, according to a probable cause statement filed by the St. George Police Department in support of the arrest.
Officers were unable to locate the two individuals while circulating in the area, according to the statement, but as they were exiting the parking lot, they spotted a man they knew had a $25,000 cash-only bail warrant for his arrest.
The warrant was issued for 48-year-old Anthony Charles Castellano’s arrest and signed by 5th District Judge Eric Ludlow on Aug. 10 after Castellano failed to appear in court on July charges of second-degree felony theft, and felony and misdemeanor drug- and alcohol-related offenses.
“I asked him if he was aware that he had the warrant,” the arresting officer wrote, “and he stated he was not aware of any warrant and stated that he should be clear from any charges.”
Castellano was placed under arrest for the outstanding warrant.
While searching Castellano, officers located multiple drugs, including methamphetamine, methadone and Xanax, and several items of drug paraphernalia, according to the probable cause statement.
Officers also located suspected heroin and marijuana tucked away in Castellano’s leg brace.
“He stated that they were for personal use and he was out of the drug game,” the arresting officer wrote.
Castellano was transported to the Washington County Purgatory Correctional Facility and booked on three third-degree felony drug possession charges, along with three class B misdemeanor drug-related charges.
Judge G. Michael Westfall, of the 5th District Court, ordered $10,000 bail for Castellano’s release pending trial. Castellano was found indigent by the court during his initial court appearance Monday and will be represented by court-appointed attorney Michael Lastowski. He is scheduled to make his next court appearance Aug. 24.
Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.
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Busted with methamphetamine, methadone, xanax, and paraphernalia? Musta been on his way to guess who’s parking dexters mommy’s trailer, to give him a “refill”.
Dang tweeker/junkie.
Check all knee braces, ankle braces, wrist braces….dang, all hraces….be on alert braces are carrying illegal drugs…..its the new drug thing and everyone is a suspect! Having a brace will now be considered “suspicious activity”
Anthony, Anthony, Anthony! Here, you just claim PTSD and are able to get most of that ……and more. The nice hairdo will back your claim.