Three indicted in connection with cocaine ring

PALMER -- Three Valley residents were indicted Wednesday on drug charges related to a long-term undercover investigation into a crack cocaine operation.

Victor Brophy, 47, Patrick Creeden, 43, and Rhonda Smith, 41, have been charged with felony misconduct involving a controlled substance. Brophy and Creeden were each charged with one 3rd-degree count and one 4th-degree count of misconduct involving a controlled substance. Smith was charged with one count of 3rd-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance.

The indictment alleges that on Nov. 17, 2000, the three acted as intermediaries in helping an undercover informant purchase cocaine from a Chugiak drug operation. Creeden and Brophy were charged with an additional sale on March 16, 2001.

Smith was picked up by Anchorage police on a warrant for her arrest in late January after she failed to show up for an arraignment last fall. Creeden and Brophy also did not appear for their arraignments, and $10,000 warrants were issued for their arrests.

Smith was later released from jail on bail and scheduled for a Feb. 15 arraignment.

Charges were filed Sept. 14, 2001, in Palmer against the three following a one-year investigation by the Mat-Su Narcotics Unit.

In 1998, the narcotics unit received information that Brophy, Smith's alleged boyfriend, was involved in drug activity and was selling cocaine, according to police affidavits.

In November 2000, investigators developed a confidential informant who was asked to purchase cocaine from Brophy and Creeden. According to the report, Creeden lived with Brophy and Smith near River Road in Palmer at the time.

Investigators obtained search warrants to monitor and record conversations between the informant, Brophy and Creeden from Nov. 17, 2000, to Feb. 11, 2001. They also received warrants to monitor and record conversations between the informant, Brophy, Creeden and Smith between March 5, 2001, and June 5, 2001.

On Nov. 17, 2000, the informant went to Brophy's home, where he reportedly contacted all three people. The suspects reportedly agreed to sell a quarter-ounce of cocaine, but according to a police affidavit, they did not have any in their possession.

Smith allegedly called a place they referred to as "the compound" in Chugiak, but couldn't locate the person they were looking for. She was finally able to establish contact with someone from Chugiak and documents show that a meeting was arranged to buy cocaine.

The informant paid Brophy $350 in bills that had been photocopied and provided by investigators. Brophy and Creeden then allegedly left their Palmer home to meet their source.

After Brophy and Creeden returned with the cocaine, the two allegedly manufactured crack cocaine by converting the powdered cocaine in a process referred to as "rocking it up."

Creeden, Brophy and Smith then allegedly shared some of the cocaine as payment in their role obtaining it, according to the affidavit.

On March 15 and 16, 2001, the informant again purchased cocaine, and Smith allegedly acted as an intermediary. Again, a portion of cocaine was used to manufacture crack.

Brophy was charged with two counts of 3rd-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance, one for acquiring and delivering the cocaine and the other for manufacturing crack. Creeden was originally charged with four counts of 3rd-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance. Smith was originally charged with two counts of 3rd-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance for her alleged role in acquiring and arranging for the purchase of cocaine on the two occasions.

When the three were indicted, the charges were consolidated into one 3rd-degree count for Smith, and two 3rd-degree counts each for Creeden and Brophy. Because grand jury proceedings are secret, the reason for combining the charges will not be released.