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WILKES-BARRE — A New Jersey native who has been living in Wilkes-Barre is linked to other people involved in a series of recent shootings and violence that rocked the city, an undercover state drug agent said Tuesday.
Just how connected Kevin R. Bowden is to several drive-by shootings in February remains uncertain as the drug agent said it remains an ongoing investigating involving other complex cases.
Bowden, 41, also known as “Ghost” and “Poodie,” was arrested March 15 when state and city drug agents served a search warrant at his residence on the second floor at 119 Hanover St.
Agents say they found 10 grams of crack cocaine hidden under a fire place mantle, a scale and packaging materials, a loaded 9mm pistol on a nightstand in a bedroom, a bag containing 12 shotgun shells, and a bag containing an unknown white substance in a child’s bedroom.
During Bowden’s preliminary hearing before District Judge James Haggerty in Luzerne County Central Court, a request by his lawyer, John Donovan, to modify bail initiated a response from drug agents.
One of them told Haggerty that Bowden was prohibited from possessing and carrying a firearm due to a manslaughter conviction in New Jersey where he served nearly seven years in prison. The agent also said Bowden is connected to other people involved in the recent rash of shootings.
The case may also be transferred to federal authorities due to the firearm and Bowden being a convicted felon.
Haggerty modified Bowden’s bail from $250,000 to $150,000 straight. He was remanded to the county jail after he waived his right to a preliminary hearing, sending charges of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and illegal possession of a firearm to county court.
Investigators interviewed Bowden’s wife, Jacinta Bowden, when their apartment was searched, court records say.
Jacinta claimed she purchased the firearm in her name for $220 at a store in Hanover Township, and leaves the firearm unsecured in their apartment. She told investigators they have lived in Wilkes-Barre for two years, and was aware Bowden smoked crack cocaine he gave to family and friends but did not know him to deal drugs, court records say.