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Friday's Internet Edition, November 21, 2008.
Three arrested in Galt on drug charges
Meth and heroin discovered on Wendy Hope Drive
By Rachael Ackerman
Herald Editor
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Galt police joined forces with Stockton narcotics officers last week to take a half-pound of methamphetamine and 23 grams of heroin off the streets of Galt.
A cooperative operation between departments, Galt police received notice that a resident of Galt had sold narcotics to an undercover Stockton narcotics detective, and that the Stockton department wanted to follow through with the case in Galt.
According to Galt Police Sergeant Craig Walton, once notified, the Galt police became involved, conducting their own undercover operation. According to Walton, an individual sold narcotics to a Galt undercover officer at a residence located at 1017 Wendy Hope Drive.
“Stockton wrote the search warrant, and we served it last Tuesday,” said Walton.
According to the police report, officers arrived at the home on Wendy Hope to execute the search warrant in the early morning hours of April 15. When the residents did not answer, police rammed the door open and entered the residence.
Once inside, police secured the scene and began a search of the home.
According to Walton, three adult males were arrested at that time when police discovered a large bag of white substance and two smaller bags of the same substance, which upon examination, tested positive for being methamphetamine.
“It turned out to be about a half-pound of meth,” said Walton. “It wasn’t packaged for sale when we found it. It was still in larger baggies.”
Galt resident Keven Goerzen, 21, was arrested and charged with possession of narcotics for sale, and sale of narcotics in Stockton.
Galt resident Joshua Riccobuono, 28, was arrested and charged with possession of narcotics, and Galt resident Joseph Vanderlick was arrested for possession of a firearm where narcotics are sold or supplied.
“We found Vanderlick asleep on the couch with a Glock .45 caliber pistol at his head,” said Walton.
According to the report, various types of ammunition were also discovered in the home, along with the narcotics and a large amount of cash in a safe in Goerzen’s bedroom.
In addition to the methamphetamine, ammunition and cash, police also discovered 23 grams of heroin in the home once the search was complete.
“Once the scene was secured, we discovered first one, and then a second, baggie of brown substance,” said Walton. “Upon testing, it proved to be heroin – 23 grams when weighed.”
All three men were transported to the Stockton Police Department where they were booked into the San Joaquin County Main Jail in French Camp.
Goerzen, who, per Walton, has no prior local arrests for narcotics, faces up to 25 years in prison, while Riccobuono and Vanderlick, who also have no local narcotics or weapons prior arrests, each face up to five years.
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