Bloomington man detained in McLean County jail for drug offenses
BLOOMINGTON — A Bloomington man has been detained pending trial for alleged drug sales in McLean County.
Shomari J. Givihan, 28, is charged with unlawful delivery of a controlled substance, a Class X felony, and unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, a Class x felony.
The defendant appeared before Judge Scott Black Thursday afternoon for an initial appearance hearing. Assistant State's Attorney David Fitt filed a petition to detain Givihan on behalf of the prosecution, arguing dangerousness.
According to the probable cause statement, Givihan coordinated a drug sale on Sept. 24. On Sept. 25, an Illinois State Police Task Force Six informant purchased cocaine directly from the defendant in Normal, Fitt said.
The substance field tested positive for presence of cocaine and weighed 26.7 grams, the prosecutor said. The informant purchased the drugs for $1,000.
The ISP task force identified Givihan as the individual who had sold the drugs to the source, and a warrant was released for his arrest Nov. 13.
When police found the defendant, officers reported he was in possession of 31.2 grams of crack cocaine in a large clear plastic baggie, which was hidden in Givihan's pants. Fitt said the baggie contained 38 individual units packaged for sale, totaling slightly more than an ounce.
Additionally, he had $792 cash, which Fitt described as suspected drug proceeds, and Givihan was found in possession of the cellphone that was used to set up the Sept. 24 transaction.
Fitt said Givihan told police he was acting as a middle man in the drug transactions.
First Assistant Public Defender Matthew Koetters argued Givihan should be released because he was cooperative with police and has not had any failures to appear for past court hearings.
"He is not dodging court," Koetters said, noting this offense is not considered violent.
Fitt disagreed, presenting Givihan's criminal history during argument. He pointed out the defendant is currently on mandatory supervised release after being released from the Department of Corrections in March for drug-related offenses.
"While on mandatory supervised release, he's continuing to involve himself in Class X offenses," Fitt said.
Givihan is also currently on pretrial release for a Class 4 aggravated fleeing offense, Fitt said. The state filed a petition to revoke his pretrial release in this case, which will be determined at a hearing on Friday.
Ultimately, the judge agreed with the state's petition and ordered Givihan be detained in this case.
Givihan will appear in court for an arraignment at 9 a.m. Nov. 22.
Contact Kaitlyn Klepec at (309) 820-3345.
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