Joint Drug Investigation Leads to Arrest of Frederica Couple

Two individuals –30-year-old Maurice Parker, of Frederica, and 34-year-old Ashley Zernell– were arrested following a joint drug investigation by the Milford Police Department and the Delaware State Police Kent County Governor’s Task Force. Police located Parker on February 4th in a Walmart parking lot on North DuPont Boulevard in Milford. When detectives contacted Parker, he accelerated and struck a police vehicle. He then crashed into a snowbank and a parked car before being taken into custody after a brief foot pursuit. A search of Parker’s vehicle reportedly uncovered suspected methamphetamine, crack/cocaine, powder cocaine, an AR-style pistol, ammunition, a BB gun, a knife, and drug paraphernalia. Detectives later searched the couple’s residence on Barretts Chapel Road in Frederica, where they found additional suspected methamphetamine and marijuana, a flash-bang grenade, a Smith & Wesson handgun, a large-capacity magazine, and ammunition. Zernell was taken into custody without incident. Parker and Zernell face numerous charges. Parker was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $200,100 cash bond. Zernell was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2 and released on an $11,100 unsecured bond with pre-trial supervision.

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