Man Charged With Trafficking Ecstasy

A Maple Heights man faces a charge of trafficking Ecstasy in Mentor.

The charge stems from a traffic stop that happened Monday near the intersection of Routes 306 and 84. Police initially stopped Marcell Freeman's car because its brake lights didn't work, Mentor Police Sgt. Richard Slovenkay said.

When the officer approached Freeman, he said he could smell the scent of marijuana coming from the car, Slovenkay said.

Freeman, 26, acknowledged to police that he had pills in the car, so officers searched it and found 103 Ecstasy pills in two bags, Slovenkay said. They also seized about $5,000 in cash.

Police charged Freeman with felony counts of trafficking Ecstasy and possession of criminal tools. The "criminal tools" in this case are a cell phone, according to court documents.

Freeman also faces misdemeanor charges of marijuana abuse, not wearing a seat belt, improper display of a license plate and having nonfunctional brake lights.

Judge John Trebets arraigned Freeman Tuesday morning and set his bond at $5,000, which was not posted.

Freeman's next court hearing is scheduled for Feb. 27.