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<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; Despite their attorneys being critical of evidence in the case, a Nanticoke duo is heading to county court on charges stemming from the discovery of drugs and cash at their residence after one of them was shot in December.</p><p>Kenneth Powell, 30, and Courtney Padden, 27, appeared before District Judge Thomas Malloy for a hearing Wednesday. Police <a href="https://www.timesleader.com/news/local/640792/nanticoke-duo-arraigned-on-drug-charges" target="_blank">refiled the charges</a> against Powell and Padden in March after the initial cases were tossed out due to legal challenges.</p><p>Malloy ended up sending Powell and Padden&#8217;s drug charges to higher court.</p><p>Members of the Luzerne County Drug Task Force, along with police from Nanticoke and Newport Township, executed a search warrant at Powell&#8217;s East Spring Street residence at approximately 9:45 a.m. Dec. 9, according to a criminal complaint. Neither Powell nor girlfriend Padden were at the home when the search occurred.</p><p>The warrant was executed the day after a shooting on the street outside the residence. Powell was the <a href="https://www.timesleader.com/news/local/613896/shooting-in-nanticoke-early-thursday-morning-leaves-one-injured" target="_blank">victim of that shooting</a>. More than five months later, a suspect has not been named in that incident.</p><p>During the search, multiple items of contraband were seized, including large bags of suspected marijuana &#8220;well beyond what would be held for personal use,&#8221; authorities stated. Cannabis liquid, digital scales and a bag of THC candy was also taken from the residence. THC is the active ingredient found in marijuana. A total of $12,950 in cash was recovered, which investigators believe is proceeds from drug sales.</p><p>Detective Joseph Guydosh testified that all of the suspected drugs were taken to the State Police crime lab for analysis.</p><p>But Padden&#8217;s attorney, Peter Moses, pointed out that no field testing was done at the scene.</p><p>Moses also argued that only a small amount of marijuana, and no paraphernalia, was found in his client&#8217;s room.</p><p>&#8220;There is nothing to indicate in this case that Courtney Padden was selling drugs,&#8221; he said.</p><p>Meanwhile, Powell&#8217;s defense lawyer, Joseph Sklarosky, argued that Det. Guydosh failed to establish other evidence in his case.</p><p>Both Moses and Sklarosky were optimistic as the cases moved to the county level.</p><p>&#8220;We&#8217;re very confident moving forward,&#8221; Moses said. &#8220;I don&#8217;t think we can back down on this case. I think it&#8217;s pretty clear that the commonwealth has really overstepped their grounds here.&#8221;</p><p>Powell and Padden are scheduled for formal arraignments at 10 a.m. Aug. 3 in the Luzerne County Courthouse. They are each free on their own recognizance.</p><style>
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<div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web1_PADDEN-1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Courtney Padden, 27, also of Nanticoke, is shown during a previous court date. Padden and co-defendant Kenneth Powell are now facing trial on drug charges. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web1_PADDEN-1.jpg</photo0><caption0>Courtney Padden, 27, also of Nanticoke, is shown during a previous court date. Padden and co-defendant Kenneth Powell are now facing trial on drug charges. </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web1_POWELL-1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Kenneth Powell, 30, Nanticoke, is shown at a prior court appearance. His drug case is now headed to county court. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web1_POWELL-1.jpg</photo1><caption1>Kenneth Powell, 30, Nanticoke, is shown at a prior court appearance. His drug case is now headed to county court. </caption1><photoCredit1></photoCredit1></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Travis Kellar</p><p>tkellar@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Travis Kellar at 570-991-6389 or on Twitter @TLNews</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Nanticoke duo heading to county court on drug charges