Man facing drug-related charge

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by Jeff Saunders

Reporter

Macedonia -- A Shepard Road man, whose home was subject to a February raid where police said they seized cocaine and more than $14,000 in cash, pleaded not guilty April 30 to a related drug possession charge filed by Cleveland police.

Macedonia Police Lt. Vince Yakopovich said Macedonia police may file additional charges, but he declined further comment.

Robert Rice, 34, was released April 30 on a $1,000 bond after being indicted on the fifth-degree felony charge April 16 by a grand jury in Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas.

Rice could not be reached for comment. His attorney, Richard Drucker, said "It's not a big case, and he has no previous criminal record."

"He's a nice young man and I'm sure the matter will be decided favorably for him," added Drucker.

According to the indictment, the charge is in connection with a small amount of cocaine, less than 5 grams, that was allegedly found in a Cleveland home also used by Rice. That discovery led to the early morning Feb. 12 search of Rice's Macedonia home by Cleveland police, who took part in the search along with agents from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency.

The raid netted "substantial amounts" of crack and powder cocaine, marijuana and $14,200 in cash, said Macedonia Detective Richard Rizzo. A loaded 9mm handgun and a late-model pickup truck were also seized.

E-mail: jsaunders@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3169