Two Turlock man are prison-bound after being convicted of narcotics sales and firearm charges in court.
Frank Lee Comer, 52, of Turlock, was convicted two felony counts of possession of a controlled substance for sale, one count of felon in possession of a firearm, and one count of possession of a short-barreled shotgun. Cromer was sentenced to 10 years in state prison.
Co-defendant Claude Stanley Smith, age 66, of Turlock, was convicted of one count of possession of a controlled substance for sales and one count of felon in possession of a firearm. Smith will be sentenced on June 10, 2015. He is expected to receive a sentence of two years in state prison, according to the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office.
On May 14, 2014, Turlock Narcotics Enforcement Team (TNET) seized a large quantity of drugs, cash, and weapons while serving a search warrant at a residence in the 500 block of Wolfe Avenue.
Officers located a safe in the residence which contained contained a half-pound of methamphetamine, a loaded revolver and a substantial amount of cash. Both defendants were in possession of a key to the safe. In addition, a trunk with cash and a loaded revolver and a short-barreled shotgun were found under the couch cushions.
Then, on Oct. 22, 2014, Cromer was searched by Turlock police officer and found in possession of a digital scale and some keys. Officers searched a storage shed and located another safe, which was opened by Cromer’s keys. In the safe were 18 baggies of methamphetamine, each weighing approximately an ounce.
According to the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office, when officers weighed the methamphetamine, Cromer said in a joking manner, “500 grams.” “But I’m not admitting to anything,” he added.
Turlock Police Department Sgt. Steven Crawford, Detective David Hall, and Detective Michael Parmley investigated the case. Deputy District Attorney Jeffrey Darnell prosecuted the case on behalf of the District Attorney’s Office.
