Parking lot arrest leads to drug seizure at Lemon Creek residence

Jeremiah Lee Pond, 50, suspected of possessing about 400 grams of illegal substances, plus cash and recreational vehicles associated with the case, according to JPD

By Mark Sabbatini

Juneau Independent

The arrest of a man Thursday on a probation warrant while he was sitting in his vehicle at the Nugget Mall parking lot led to the seizure of about 400 grams of fentanyl and other illegal drugs, plus cash and recreational vehicles believed to be associated with the case, according to the Juneau Police Department.

Jeremiah Lee Pond, 50, was arrested at about 3 p.m. by members of the Southeast Alaska Cities Against Drugs (SEACAD) task force, a JPD release issued Friday states. JPD Cmdr. Matt DuBois said Pond had an outstanding felony warrant for charges involving a prior drug-related case.

"It was a situation where one thing led to another," DuBois said.

A search of Pond’s vehicle revealed a small container containing 7.3 grams of a powder that preliminary tests show is methamphetamine, plus 1.21 grams of a white substance that preliminary tests indiciate is fentanyl, according to the JPD release.

A search warrant obtained and executed at Pond’s residence in the 6500 block of Glacier Highway resulted in the seizure of about 293.56 grams of fentanyl, 46.63 grams of ketamine, 25.84 grams of methamphetamine and 25.50 grams of MDMA.

"The total estimated street value of the seized controlled substances is approximately $162,500," the release notes. "Investigators also seized $102,640 in cash and multiple recreational vehicles believed to be associated with the investigation."

The vehicles seized were a 2021 Polaris side-by-side valued at approximately $15,000, Can-Am side-by-side valued at approximately $10,000 and Can-Am four-wheeler valued at approximately $7,000, according to JPD.

Pond was incarcerated at Lemon Creek Correctional Center on charges of second-degree misconduct involving a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree (a Class A Felony), two counts of third-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance (a Class B Felony), five counts of fourth-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance (a Class C Felony), and the outstanding felony probation warrant.

Court records show Pond has prior felony drug convictions from cases filed in 2006 and 2022. No case related to Thursday’s arrest was listed as of late Friday morning in the Alaska Court System’s online database.

• Contact Mark Sabbatini at editor@juneauindependent.com or (907) 957-2306.