A jury has convicted Patrick Pina of the Sale of Dangerous Drugs, Money Laundering, Possession of Dangerous Drugs, and Possession of Marijuana. The conviction stems from Pina’s possession and sale of methamphetamine in March 2016. On Monday, during Pina’s trial, he absconded during a court recess after the state rested its case.
He is currently on the run. A judge issued a warrant for his arrest.
On March 1, 2016, the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office conducted an undercover purchase of a half-ounce of methamphetamine from Patrick Pina, age 44, at his home in Whitman, AZ. After the purchase, MCSO obtained and served a search warrant at Pina’s home. When MCSO arrived at the house, Pina ran into the house. A barricade situation occurred but soon the defendant came out. Deputies found a crystalline substance in the toilet along with rolling papers in the bathroom. On the floor of the bathroom was more methamphetamine next to an open container. Deputies also found two small scales, two large scales, packaging baggies, a ledger, a gun, and marijuana.
In March 2016, a state grand jury indicted Pina for the Sale of Dangerous Drugs, Money Laundering, Possession of Dangerous Drugs, and Possession of Marijuana. A judge released Pina on bond.