Marion man charged in drug investigation

A Marion man is facing multiple drug and weapons charges after being arrested earlier this week.

According to a press release issued by the MARMET/METRICH Drug Task Force, Keair L. Key, 29, Marion, was arrested around 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday in the 800 block of East Church Street in Marion. Officers from MARMET/METRICH drug task force and the Marion Police Department's Special Response Team executed a search warrant at a residence in the vicinity and took Key into custody.

Key was wanted on drug and weapons charges, according to the press release. He was being sought in connection with an investigation MARMET/METRICH has been conducting.

According to the press release, detectives seized a loaded 45-caliber handgun, 487 Ecstasy pills, 18 grams of suspected fentanyl, 16 oxycodone pills, and $1,055 in cash.

"“I am very grateful for the hard work of the detectives assigned to MARMET/METRICH Drug Task Force and to the citizens of Marion County for continuing to call in tips," said Lt. Chris Adkins of the MARMET/METRICH Drug Task Force. "Our partnership with the community enables us to continue to arrest drug traffickers and make our community safer.”

Key appeared Thursday in Marion Municipal Court for arraignment. According to records from the court website, Key has been charged with aggravated trafficking/drugs, a second-degree felony; trafficking/heroin, a second-degree felony; aggravated possession of drugs, a second-degree felony; aggravated possession/heroin, a second-degree felony; having weapons under disability, a third-degree felony; aggravated trafficking/drugs, a fourth-degree felony; and aggravated possession/drugs, a fifth-degree felony.

Bond for Key was set at $250,000, cash or corporate bond. He is scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 23. The court appointed Caleb Carson to serve as Key's attorney.

Originally published in the Marion Star on September 20, 2019.