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Navy recruiter charged after police find cocaine, guns in his Coraopolis apartment

CORAOPOLIS, Pa. — A U.S. Navy recruiter is facing charges after police say they found cocaine and guns in his Coraopolis apartment.

Alexander Elvin, a Navy sailor, was recruiting for the Navy in the Pittsburgh Public Schools District amid his arrest last week.

A spokesperson for the Navy Recruiting District Pittsburgh Public Affairs told Channel 11 News that Elvin was a stellar sailor and one of Pittsburgh’s best recruiters.

According to the criminal complaint, police found a large quantity of cocaine, drug paraphernalia indicative of trafficking, two revolvers and ammo in Elvin’s apartment.

Elvin, who was out on bail Tuesday night, declined to comment when reached at his home, but his lawyer did speak about his arrest.

“(He has) no criminal history. He served his country honorably overseas and the U.S., and has been in the military for seven years,” David Shrager, Elvin’s lawyer, said.

The navy recruiting spokesperson said Elvin’s honors include the Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon.

Shrager said the charges came as a shock to Elvin and his family.

“We’re going to attack this vigorously, and I’m going to do everything I can to clear his good name and reputation,” Shrager said.

Calls to state police Tuesday night about the investigation were not immediately returned.