Published: July 01, 2009 01:38 pm      

Two charged

Residents near school accused of delivering marijuana

By PAUL LORENZ

paul.lorenz@mcleansborotimesleader.com

McLEANSBORO — Two people were formally charged last week with distributing marijuana near the local grade school.

Tyrie D. Blackburn, 30, and Lamanda N. Royse, 27, both of the 400 block of East St. Charles Avenue, each were charged June 22 with unlawful possession with intent to deliver cannabis while on school property, a Class 2 felony, and unlawful delivery of cannabis while on school property, a Class 4 felony, according to Hamilton County Circuit Court records.

In addition, Blackburn is charged with unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, a Class 3 felony, and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, a Class A misdemeanor, court records stated.

Blackburn and Royse were both arrested around 8:30 p.m. June 19 at their residence.

Each is charged with possession of and intent to deliver more than 30 grams but not more than 500 grams and more than 2.5 grams but not more than 10 grams of a substance containing cannabis, both on or about June 19 while within 1,000 feet of East Side School, the charges state.

Blackburn, a convicted felon, is also charged with possession of a pair of metal knuckles, a third felony charge states.

In a separate case, Blackburn pleaded not guilty June 4 to charges of theft and battery; he is accused of stealing a 9 mm handgun from another man around April 18.

For the charges filed last week, Judge Barry Vaughan set Blackburn’s bail at $50,000 and Royse’s at $25,000.

Preliminary hearings for both defendants are set for 11:30 a.m. today (Thursday).