Felon says he sold drugs to pay fines

By Alex Bridges -- abridges@nvdaily.com

WINCHESTER -- A probationer who claims he sold cocaine to pay his outstanding court debts faces going back to prison -- and more fines.

Authorities on Monday arrested Edward Heriberto "Eddy" Quintana Jr., 32, of 2261 Taft Circle, Winchester, and charged him with possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute, possession of a firearm with drugs and having a firearm within 10 years of a conviction of a non-violent felony.

Substitute Judge N. Randolph "Randy" Bryant granted Quintana a $20,000 secured bond during a hearing Wednesday in Frederick County General District Court. Quintana appeared via video from the Northwestern Regional Adult Detention Center pending the posting of a $20,000 secured bond. Bryant ordered Quintana to stay at the Taft Circle residence if released on bond. Court documents note a magistrate recommended Quintana remain held without bond because of an alleged probation violation.

A conviction of distribution of cocaine can result in prison time and a fine up to $500,000.
Deputy W.S. Foster, of the Frederick County Sheriff's Office, went Monday afternoon to 211-229 Forrest Lake Drive, Stephens City with a probation officer to make contact with Quintana. The probationer and his girlfriend "gave myself and other deputies permission to search the residence," Foster states in a criminal complaint. Quintana told officers he had been staying at the home with his girlfriend.

"A search of the residence revealed a lock box containing cocaine and a firearm," the complaint states. "Quintana state[d] he had been selling cocaine to get money to pay his fines and costs so he could get off probation."

Quintana admitted the cocaine was his, according to Foster.

Quintana in May 2008 received concurrent five-year prison terms, with three suspended on each, for two counts of distribution of cocaine and one charge of distribution of imitation cocaine, Frederick County Circuit Court records show. The judge imposed a $1,000 fine.

A hearing on alleged probation violations related to the convictions is scheduled for today in the Circuit Court.

Quintana in 2007 received five years in prison, with all but eight months suspended, for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, and two years all suspended for possession of the painkiller fentanyl, plus a $1,000 fine.