HASTINGS, Fla. -- Detectives arrested a 25-year-old Hastings man Wednesday on drug and animal cruelty charges after an investigation that began after the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office received numerous neighborhood complaints of illegal activity.
Deputies said when they arrived at the house, Moses James King was outside, picked up a small canvas-type bag, walked toward the back of the yard and tried to throw the bag into the trees. The Sheriff's Office said the bag was recovered and contained 17.2 grams of what they suspected as crack cocaine packaged for sale, along with 180 grams of what they believed to be marijuana, also packaged for sale.
King, 25, was charged with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia and violation of probation and booked into the St. Johns County Jail.
St. Johns County Animal Control officers also removed several dogs from the property, along with suspected dogfighting material. The investigation into alleged dogfighting and possible neglect of animals was continuing, and charges are pending.
This was a joint investigation between the Sheriff’s Office, Parole and Probation, Animal Control and the Florida Department of Children and Families.
