Lorain Street Dept. Worker Fired After Drug Arrest in City Vehicle

LORAIN, Ohio — A work crew leader for the Lorain Street Department has been fired following his arrest earlier this summer for buying heroin while one the clock and in a city vehicle.

According to Robert Fowler, Lorain’s Director of Public Safety & Service, Morgan Minnich, 30, of Lorain, was fired for violating the city’s drug abuse policy.

An arrest report obtained by Fox 8 News details Minnich’s arrest on June 26, 2012.

According to the report, Minnich was found by police to be in possession of a tin foil package containing less than a gram of heroin, a syringe, a white plastic case containing rope and several small pieces of tin foil all while in a city owned vehicle.

According to the report Minnich immediately put his hands in the air when approached by officers, stating he knew police were coming for him because he, “had seen us following him”.

Minnich admitted to police that each day he drove a city owned truck to a location in Elyria Township to pick up heroin left for him by his drug dealer.

In the report Minnich told police that he had been purchasing heroin from the dealer, “as long as he can remember.”

According to Fowler, Minnich was put on unpaid administrative leave for three days after his arrest. A pre-disciplinary hearing conducted seven days after his arrest resulted in his firing. 

Geoffrey Smith, Lorain’s Deputy Safety-Service Director, tells Fox 8 News that Minnich had been employed by the department since December 4, 2006. Smith says Minnich’s annual salary was $39,700.