Two Locals Face Multiple Drug Charges

By Donna Limberger

Two local residents are facing multiple drug charges following a weekend incident in which a search warrant was executed at the couple’s home on FM 1805 by Van Police Officers.

Franklin Robinson, 58 and Debra Robinson, 55 are facing numerous charges after officers found more than four pounds of marijuana, 634 cans of beer and 213 containers of liquor during the search of the home. More than 30 marijuana plants were also found.

Officers also found 130 miscellaneous prescription drug pills that, Debra Robinson, who works as a nurse in Tyler, had been stealing from her patients at a Tyler nursing home.

"We also seized 15 high powered rifles and four pistols with hollow point ammunition. There was $2,535 in cash confiscated as well," said Van Police Chief Kelly Smith.

Smith said that an additional two pounds of marijuana was seized after officers arrested the Robinson’s supplier.

"We received information that a family in the Van area was profiting from the illegal sale of alcohol and drugs. We took this very seriously when we discovered that the family was targeting minors," said Smith.

Smith said that in their statements, the Robinsons admitted selling drugs and alcohol to teenagers. They also said that the majority of their customers were from Van.

"This is not the kind of behavior that we are going to tolerate in this community. We are not going to have drug dealers targeting our kids. There were additional suspects identified at the scene and they could face additional charges," said Smith.

Smith said that when a marijuana plant is submitted to the Texas Department of Public Safety Laboratory, they consider that plant capable of producing one pound of marijuana.

"We seized over 30 plants so you can see the potential. Robinson admittedly sold about $9,600 worth of marijuana in the last six weeks," said Smith.

Smith said that the case could possibly escalate to the federal level.