Johnston Police Charge West Warwick Man with Felony Drug Possession

After responding a report of an abandoned vehicle on Aug. 28, officers filed felony drug possession charges against a West Warwick man who had been awaiting trial in two previous cases.

Keith Shalvey, 31, of 4 Sunset Ave., West Warwick, remains held without bail at the Adult Correctional Institutions, Cranston, pending a scheduled Sept. 6 status conference on the two earlier charges.

Ptlm. Derick Ofori reported that he and two other officers went to the area of 920 Plainfield St. to investigate a black Ford which had been left unattended in the roadway.

Sgt. Steven P. Guilmette provided the other officers with the description of a man whom witnesses said had left the car and walked away from the scene.

Ofori reported that as he approached the area, he saw a man matching the description that Gilmette had given, and drove his cruiser toward the man's location.

As he approached, Ofori said he saw the man, later identified as Shalvey, "throw his backpack on the ground as to conceal it."

After Ptlm. Dana Gousie picked up the backpack, Ofori reported that he asked Shalvey why he had thrown it away, and Shalvey replied: "because I have medical marijuana in there."

The officers' search of the backpack found 11 vials of liquid Winstrol, an anabolic steroid; a prescription bottle with various pills; and a plastic bag holding a substance later determined to be cannabis, for which Shalvey had a valid medical marijuana card.

Ofori reported that the assorted pills including other steroids and Clonazepam (Klonopin), an anti-seizure medication.

After tranporting him to the police station, officers formally charged Shalvey with one felony count each of illegal possesion of Schedule III and Schedule IV drugs.

At a court hearing on Tuesday, officers presented Shalvey for violating terms of bail set following his March 28 arrest by Warwick Police on a shoplifting charge.

Shalvey had also been awaiting a court hearing on a drug possession charge brought by Richmond Police, according to online court records.