COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Police say a husband and his wife convicted of dealing drugs in the city in the fall of 2016 were busted again this week when officers raided a motel on the city’s east side.
Acting on numerous tips, police late Wednesday night went to the Coldwater Inn and Suites, the former Super 8 Motel, and said there was evidence that crystal meth, commonly known in the drug trade as “ice” was being sold out of the suspect’s room. Arrested were 39-year old James Royer and 33-year old Heather Royer. According to officers, they found Heather in the motel lobby and she led them to the room where they located her husband and where they also discovered the couple’s 11-year old son and a 5-year old daughter. The children were turned over to the custody of their grandfather.
Police said they seized methamphetamine and marijuana from the room along with digital scales and packaging materials. Officers reported that the couple admitted to allowing other meth dealers to use their room for drug sales. The Royer’s entered pleas in Branch County Circuit Court to a charge of maintaining a drug house after police said heroin and meth were found in late October of 2016 at the couple’s residence on South Polk Street.
James Royer served 6 months in jail and was placed on probation for 18 months. His wife was also placed on the same probation although her jail term was suspended. Police said they had been staying this month in the motel since November 5th after being evicted from the apartment they were living at in Coldwater.
The couple was arraigned yesterday on multiple charges with their next appearance in District Court a probable cause hearing set for November 28th.
