Heroin Dealer To Serve 10 Years

May 14,2019 by Shawn Soper

SNOW HILL — A Dagsboro man, arrested last October on heroin distribution charges after Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officers observed him riding as a passenger in a vehicle, was found guilty last week and was sentenced to 15 years, all but 10 of which were then suspended.

James Tankard

Last October, OCPD officers observed James Tankard, 29, of Dagsboro, riding as a passenger in the area of 142^nd Street and knew he was wanted on an active warrant. The vehicle was stopped and Tankard was taken into custody. During a search of Tankard’s person, OCPD officers found 261 wax Baggies containing heroin with a total weight of more than 58 grams.

OCPD officers also recovered $775 in currency. The estimated street value of the heroin found on Tankard’s person was $2,600. Last Thursday, a Worcester County jury found Tankard guilty of possession with intent to distribute heroin. He was sentenced to 15 years with the Department of Corrections with all but 10 years suspended. He was also placed on supervised probation for three years upon his release.

About The Author: Shawn Soper

Shawn Soper has been with The Dispatch since 2000. He began as a staff writer covering various local government beats and general stories. His current positions include managing editor and sports editor. Growing up in Baltimore before moving to Ocean City full time three decades ago, Soper graduated from Loch Raven High School in 1981 and from Towson University in 1985 with degrees in mass communications with a journalism concentration and history.