Chase nets familiar face
Staff writer
A Marion man believed by many to be a leading drug dealer was arrested for the seventh time Christmas day when he sped off after spotting a deputy at 110th and Remington Rds.
Deputy Matt Regier pursued Kevin W. Geren’s car, which fled at 7:20 p.m. Regier caught up to the vehicle at 140th and Sunflower Rd. but couldn’t get Geren to pull over.
Geren stopped and was arrested at the intersection of 3rd and Forest Sts. in Marion.
A resident nearby the arrest described hearing many sirens at the south edge of town, seeing a vehicle pulled over, a bullhorn in use, and yelling in the distance.
Deputy Aaron Slater and his drug dog, Blue, searched both the car and Geren.
Geren, 61, was booked into jail on charges of felony fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement and possession of methamphetamine, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia.
He was released at 9:39 p.m. Monday on a $10,000 surety bond.
Geren previously was arrested:
- Aug. 5 on a warrant for failure to appear in court.
- July 11 on suspicion of possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia and failure to display evidence of liability insurance.
- March 22, 2021, on suspicion of possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
- Sept. 17, 2020, on a warrant for failure to appear in court; July 14, 2020, on a warrant for failure to appear in court.
- Dec. 18, 2019, on suspicion of distribution of heroin, possession of marijuana, and failure to appear in court.
In an outstanding case in Marion County District Court, Geren is charged Oct. 17 with violation of the offender registration act. In another outstanding case, he is charged with possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, having no proof of insurance, driving without a valid license, and not having required stop lamps and turn signals.
He was charged April 2, 2021, with possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, driving without tail lamps, and driving with an obstructed windshield. All charges in that case were dismissed June 27 in a plea deal.
He was charged Jan. 2, 2020, with distribution of heroin, possession of marijuana, and transporting liquor in an open container. Charges later were amended to add conspiracy to distribute heroin.
On June 27, he pleaded no contest to distribution of heroin and in return, the remainder of the charges in that case as well as the charges filed April 2, 2021, were dismissed.
After two delays in sentencing, he is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 10.