Derby Store Employees Arrested On Drug Charges

A 2017 Google Map photo showing what is now the Hawkins Corner Store at the intersection of Hawkins and Seventh in Derby.

Derby police Monday accused two people of selling drugs from a corner store on Hawkins Street.

According to information from police, an investigation started after allegations surfaced that drugs were being sold inside the ​“Hawkins Corner Store” at 78 Hawkins St.

Derby police, with help from the Drug Enforcement Agency and a police dog from Orange, served a search warrant at the location Monday.

McKnight

Police said they found drugs on one employee — Keisha Nesmith, 36, of Derby — and drugs in a back storage room ​“in proximity” of another employee, William McKnight, 47, of Derby.

“Seized during the search warrant was .6 grams of heroin, 3.8 grams of crack cocaine, 13 grams of marijuana, controlled prescription pills, packaging materials, and prescription narcotics,” according to Derby police.

“At this stage of the investigation, only McKnight and Nesmith have been identified as subjects in the distribution narcotics from the property,” police said.

McKnight is charged with possession of crack cocaine, possession with intent to sell crack-cocaine, possession of crack cocaine within a school zone, possession of marijuana, possession with intent to sell marijuana, and possession of marijuana within school zone. 

He was released on a written promise to appear at Superior Court in Derby on Aug. 30.

Nesmith

Nesmith was charged with possession of crack cocaine, possession with intent to sell crack cocaine, possession of crack cocaine within school zone, possession of heroin, possession with intent to sell heroin, possession of heroin within a school zone, failure to keep narcotics in original container, and possession of schedule 2 oxycodone. 

Nesmith was held on a $25,000 bond pending an Aug. 30 court date.

Keep local reporting alive. Donate.ValleyIndy.org