GERMANTOWN, Md.– Montgomery County police have arrested four people, including former Miss Maryland USA, Tia Shorts, for narcotics and gun-related offenses after detectives executed search warrants at a residence in Germantown earlier this week.
Police say at about 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, detectives developed information that there was drug activity at an address on Pickering Court in Germantown. One suspect, identified by police as 30-year-old Joey Garcia King, of that same address, was seen leaving and stopped by officers. He was found to be in possession of heroin, cocaine, and an undisclosed amount of cash. Detectives then obtained a search and seizure warrant for the address.
A few hours later, police say, a vehicle was seen leaving the address and was stopped by officers. Located in the vehicle were quantities of cocaine, an undisclosed amount of cash, and a loaded handgun.
The occupants of the vehicle were identified by police as King’s brother and mother, James Gilbert King, 32, and Hyacinth King, 67, both of the 25100 block of Hickory Ridge Lane in Gaithersburg.
Detectives served the search and seizure warrant for the address and found ammunition, marijuana, and an undisclosed amount of cash. Tia Shorts, of that address, was arrested and charged with conspiracy to possess cocaine with intent to distribute, and possession of cocaine and marijuana.
Police also charged the three other suspects on drug and weapons charges. Joey King was charged with possession with the intent to distribute heroin and cocaine, possession of heroin, cocaine, and marijuana, and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. James King was charged with possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute, conspiracy to possess cocaine with the intent to distribute, possession of cocaine, possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a handgun in a vehicle. Hyacinth King was charged with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, conspiracy to possess cocaine with the intent to distribute, possession of cocaine, possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a handgun in a vehicle.
On Pickering Court where Shorts lives, some neighbors say they had their share of suspicions about what was going on behind closed doors where police say Shorts lived with 30 year old Joey King.
“You’d see cars come up and stop come up and stop and then park and leave,” said one man.
Another woman added, “There was just a lot of odd people in and out.”
Joey King was ordered held on a $60,000 bond. James King was being held on $50,000 bond. Hyacinth King was held on $75,000 bond. Tia Shorts was held on $10,000 bond. They each posted bond and have been released.
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