A whole year has passed since Fairfax County police charged Centreville's Jennings Hobert Cole II with narcotics offenses. But his case is finally moving forward in the legal system.
Cole, 36, of 14639 Stone Range Drive in the Sully Station community, is accused of cocaine distribution, and some of his charges are going to the grand jury.
THE DETAILS of the criminal case against him were explained in a Sept. 14, 2005 affidavit for a search warrant to look for drugs, paraphernalia, records and documents in his home. However, Centre View is not revealing the name of the detective who obtained the alleged evidence against Cole because he was acting in an undercover capacity at the time.
According to the affidavit, during April 2005, this detective reportedly learned that Cole "is a current distributor of cocaine ... in and around the Chantilly area."
The detective noted that, in August and again in September 2005, he purchased cocaine from Cole. The affidavit states that Cole allegedly told the detective that he could obtain a particular amount of cocaine for him, and then the two met at Cole's home — where the deal was reportedly consummated.
Afterward, said police, "The suspected cocaine [bought by the detective with Fairfax County "buy funds"] was field-tested and tested positive for cocaine."
Police executed the search warrant on Sept. 14, 2005 and seized baggies containing cocaine residue, as well as drug paraphernalia, cash and various records and documents.
The next day, Sept. 15, they charged Cole with three counts of possession with intent to distribute cocaine. A court date was set for him, but was then continued more than once.
However, on Aug. 21 in General District Court, the case went before Judge Mark Simmons. One of Cole's charges was dropped, and Simmons certified the other two to the grand jury for possible indictment.
<tgl> — Bonnie Hobbs