LA CRESCENTA : Coach, Girlfriend to Be Tried in Drug Case

A Crescenta Valley Little League coach and his girlfriend were bound over for trial Monday on charges of selling cocaine out of their La Crescenta home, officials said.

Michael Joseph Benedetto, 38, and Shannon Burris, 31, face one felony count each of possessing cocaine for sale. After a preliminary hearing in Glendale Municipal Court, Judge Joseph DeVanon ordered the defendants, free on $50,000 bond each, to appear for arraignment Aug. 24 in Pasadena Superior Court.

“This is a case that should probably go to trial,� Deputy Dist. Atty. Michael J. O’Gara said.

O’Gara called only one witness, who testified about the search warrant that police served on May 27 at the defendants’ home in the 2600 block of Altura Avenue. Glendale Police Investigator Fran Judge testified that two ounces of cocaine, which police valued at $9,000, along with various drug paraphernalia were seized from a bedroom safe.

According to the warrant, an unidentified informant contacted police and agreed to make a drug buy at Benedetto’s home using money supplied by investigators.

No one testified for the defense.

Burris’ attorney, Stuart Goldfarb, declined comment.

Benedetto’s attorney, Barry L. Greenhalgh, said his client is innocent and added that he is considering asking the Superior Court judge to order prosecutors to release the informant’s name.

“All the evidence hasn’t been brought out,� he said. “All we have is accusations made by an unknown person and a search that may or may not be questionable.�

Before being placed on temporary suspension in June pending the outcome of the case, Benedetto has been one of three coaches for a T-ball team for 7- and 8-year-old boys and girls and a softball team for 13- to 15-year-old girls in the Crescenta Valley Little League.

If convicted, each defendant could be sentenced to up to four years in state prison, O’Gara said.