Man charged with wanton endangerment and intent to deliver

A Morgantown man is accused of having multiple drugs in his possession while shooting a firearm, causing a hazard.

Daniel J. Cruz, 19, is charged with wanton endangerment involving a firearm and possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver by the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Department.

Cruz allegedly had 19 grams of marijuana, 81.5 Xanax bars, five Oxycodone, $1,041, two iPhones, a rifle and a .40 caliber pistol, according to a criminal complaint.

Deputy J. Ward went to Luke Street, behind Scott Avenue, for a foot patrol assignment, about 11:15 p.m. on Wednesday, because a Scott Avenue resident called 911 and said five or six gunshots were heard, the complaint said.

As Ward was patrolling, a man carrying a rifle — later identified as Cruz — turned a corner and started walking towards the deputy, the complaint said. Ward grabbed the rifle and spun Cruz around to detain him.

That’s when he noticed what appeared to be a bag of marijuana sticking out of Cruz’s sweatshirt pocket. Ward arrested Cruz, noticed the handgun in his pants pocket and secured it, the complaint said.

Cruz was then searched and the rest of the drugs and money were found, according to the complaint.

“The combination of the drugs, guns, cash and multiple cell phones are, in my experience, indicative of the distribution of controlled substances,” Ward wrote in the complaint.

Cruz also made statements to indicate he was selling drugs, the complaint said.