Alleged pot peddler indicted, arrested

Published 12:01 am Saturday, June 23, 2012

A Covington County grand jury has indicted an Andalusia man arrested last year for allegedly using marijuana in the presence of six minors, aged 2 to 17.

Victor Windy Cooley, 50, was arrested last July for six counts of chemical endangerment of a child, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. His bond for the nine total counts is $1.6 million.

Cooley was arrested in 2011 when Drug Task Force agents executed a search warrant at his Cooley Lane home, located off Prestwood Bridge Road, and were greeted with the smell of burnt marijuana.

Inside the home, agents found several ounces of marijuana packaged for sale, digital scales, U.S. currency, more than 30 firearms, counter surveillance equipment and paraphernalia used in the ingestion and sale of marijuana.

Agents said then it was obvious the drug was being used in the presence of minors, and members of last week’s grand jury session agreed. On Thursday, Cooley was served with an indictment in the case on two counts of chemical endangerment of a child, possession of marijuana I, unlawful distribution of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

He is currently being held in the Covington County Jail under a $750,000 bond.

Cooley’s arrest was one of two made on grand jury indictments Thursday. Also arrested was Hannah R. Cotton, 19, who was indicted on a burglary III charge and held on a $100,000 bond.