Jail door revolving faster
Drug suspect’s freedom between arrests gets shorter
Staff writer
Freedom was short-lived for Marion resident Dustin J. Luchi 42, who was out of jail only five days before he was arrested again Thursday.
Thursday’s arrest was on suspicion of distribution of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and marijuana, interference with law enforcement, no drug tax stamp for marijuana, and a warrant to revoke probation.
This time, he remains in jail in lieu of $70,000 surety bond.
Quick returns to jail are not new for Luchi. He had only 11 days of freedom between his April 18 release from jail and an April 29 arrest on suspicion of possessing methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, interfering with law enforcement by destroying or concealing evidence, driving while his license was suspended, and violating probation.
The next day he was released on $30,000 surety bond.
His previous stay in jail, on April 17 to 18 had been on suspicion of interference with law enforcement, possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, and operating a vehicle without a valid license. He bonded out that time on $10,000 surety bond.
Before that, he was jailed May 5 to 7, 2021, on suspicion of distribution of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and driving while his license was suspended. He bonded out that time on $15,000 surety bond.
He also was arrested April 1, 2021, on suspicion of driving while his license was canceled, suspended or revoked. He was released in that case the same day on a $1,000 surety bond.
Formal charges in his latest arrest have not yet been filed.
In the five cases already filed against him, Luchi is charged with two counts of possession of methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine; three counts of possession of drug paraphernalia; four counts of driving while license canceled, suspended or revoked; driving without a valid license; two counts of interference with law enforcement; fleeing a police officer; speeding; and possession of a stolen firearm.
The court has appointed numerous lawyers to represent him, but none of the cases has been resolved. Lawyers keep withdrawing, and the court has to appoint replacement. In all, he has been assigned to Christopher Ambrose, John Glamann, Stephen Atherton, Gary Price, and David Yoder.
Luchi’s father, Charles R. Luchi, 68, also was jailed Thursday on suspicion of distribution of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and marijuana, interference with law enforcement, and no drug tax stamp for marijuana. He was released Monday on $20,000 surety bond.
It was Charles Luchi’s first arrest in Marion County.
Charges are pending in that case as well.
At their arrest, Marion police seized more than 11½ grams of methamphetamine — enough for more than 100 doses of the drug. They also seized a glass smoking pipe, marijuana, prescription medication, and two cell phones.