01/28/2025 | News release | Distributed by Public on 01/28/2025 17:40
PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release: January 28, 2025, at 2:25pm
**ANY CHARGES REPORTED IN THESE PRESS RELEASES ARE MERELY ACCUSATIONS AND THE DEFENDANTS ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNLESS AND UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY**
During the month of December, Wrangell PD received information on drug use during a separate, uninvolved case. The victim of the original case brought large amounts of drug paraphernalia and some communication between the defendant in the case and a possible drug dealer.
This information started an investigation in which Jacob Marshall and Cooper Seimears were identified as dealing narcotics in Wrangell. Those communications involving drugs led to several search warrants on social media accounts. The information retrieved demonstrated narcotics sales involving Jacob and Cooper with Jacob's fiancé, McKenna Harding, making deliveries and collecting payments.
Search warrants were obtained for the residence and vehicles of Jacob and McKenna. An additional search warrant was issued for the residence and vehicles used by Cooper.
On January 28, 2025, at 8am, the Wrangell Police Department with the assistance of several partnering law enforcement agencies conducted a dual search warrant execution. All three suspects were detained without incident. Both residences and all the vehicles outlined in the search warrants were searched.
Narcotics and items related to the sale of narcotics were taken from both residences.
The charges are as follows:
Cooper Seimears (39 yrs) - Misconduct involving a controlled substance 3rd Degree, Misconduct involving a controlled substance 5th (possession with gun)
Jacob Marshall (29yrs) - Misconduct involving a controlled substance 3rd, Endangering the welfare of a child (2 counts), Contributing to the delinquency of a Minor (2 counts) and Misconduct involving a controlled substance 5th (possession with gun)
McKenna Harding (29yrs) - Misconduct involving a controlled substance 3rd, Endangering the welfare of a child (2 counts) and Contributing to the delinquency of a Minor (2 counts).
*** As evidence is processed and additional information is received, more charges may be added in the future.
VERY IMPORTANT! The Wrangell Police Department greatly appreciates the assistance of those who supplied information to the department to start this investigation. We also appreciate the assistance of the Petersburg Police Department, Wrangell's US Forest Service Officer, Wrangell's Border Patrol agent and Wrangell's assigned Alaska Wildlife Trooper. Their assistance was crucial to the safe execution of these warrants.
Questions or concerns should be addressed to Chief Meek at 907-874-3304.
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