Alleged drug dealer arrested in Civic Park

MOSES LAKE — An alleged drug dealer was arrested Saturday in Civic Park, according to a Monday statement from the Moses Lake Police Department. 

A city employee observed Juan J. Gonsalez, 38, selling fentanyl in the park near City Hall, according to the statement. Officers were able to watch surveillance recordings and see Gonsalez selling fentanyl to two other people in the park. Based on their observations, officers contacted Gonsalez outside the library and arrested him. He was found to be in possession of about an ounce of fentanyl powder. He was arrested and booked for delivery of a controlled substance, as well as possession charges.  

The two subjects observed buying fentanyl from Gonsalez have been identified, but officers didn’t locate them right away, according to the statement. They will be charged and trespassed from the park when located.  

While contacting Gonsalez, officers contacted another male smoking fentanyl in the park, who was also arrested, according to the statement. A couple of other people were also found to be in violation of the city park ordinance and were also trespassed from the park.  

Moses Lake’s city park ordinance was recently modified by the city council to allow officers to trespass people from the park for violations, the MLPD wrote. A COVID-19-era restriction on enforcement of the park ordinance, when the sleep center was full, was also removed from the ordinance.