Sterling police arrest four in drug busts

Brian Bell

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Four area residents were arrested Monday and charged with drug-related offenses, Sterling police said. The arrests, which were not all related, are the culmination of investigations dating as far back as late 2005 and early 2006, police said in a news release.

Arrested between 2:19 p.m. and 2:50 p.m. Monday were:

n Brian Bell, 48, 208 E. 12th St., Sterling. He is charged with possession of cocaine, a felony punishable by one to three years in prison, and possession of 10 to 30 grams of marijuana, a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail.

n Lisa Bell, 41, 208 E. 12th St., Sterling. She is charged with four counts of possession of cocaine with intent to deliver, each punishable by four to 15 years in prison, five counts of possession of cocaine, each punishable by one to three years in prison, one count of possession of 30 to 500 grams of marijuana with intent to deliver, punishable by two to five years in prison, unlawful delivery of 30 to 500 grams of marijuana and possession of 30 to 500 grams of marijuana, each punishable by one to three years in prison and possession of 10 to 30 grams of marijuana, punishable by up to a year in jail.

The Bells home was searched May 11. Brian Bell was not home and was issued a notice to appear in court; Lisa Bell was home but not arrested at the time until further investigation took place, the release said.

n Danielle Lopez, 21, 901 W. 9th St., Sterling. She is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana with intent to deliver, punishable by two to five years in prison and unlawful possession of 30 to 500 grams of marijuana, punishable by one to three years in prison.

On Feb. 21, Sterling and Dixon police searched Lopez's home. Because of a medical condition, she was not arrested at the time and was given a notice to appear, the release said.

n Cindy Velasquez, 49, 3414 A Street, of Rock Falls. She was charged with delivery of cocaine, which is punishable by six to 30 years in prison, and possession cocaine, which is punishable by four to 15 years in prison.

Velasquez was arrested Monday in connection with the arrest Sunday of convicted cocaine dealer Tony Clapp of Rock Falls. Police said she participated in the delivery of cocaine to a police agent. Police also seized a 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix, valued at about $3,000, they said was used in a drug transaction.

Because of a medical problem, she was issued a notice to appear, police said.

Reach Jim Butts at (815) 625-3600 or (800) 798-4085, ext. 570.