HALF MOUNTAIN – A Magoffin County man was arrested last Friday after police received a call regarding a suspicious individual at South Magoffin Elementary.
On April 23 at approximately 1 p.m., Magoffin County Sheriff Department Deputy Reggie Gosser responded to the call and found Cody L. Stratton, 27, of Salyersville, at the grade school, carrying a black backpack. When Gosser questioned Stratton about the contents of his backpack, he reportedly admitted that it contained drugs and a weapon.
Gosser contacted MCSO Deputies Jonathan Holbrook and Bryan Castle, and they initiated a search of the backpack, according to the information the sheriff’s office released on social media following the arrest.
According to the arrest citation, police found a large quantity of methamphetamine inside the backpack, along with a knife. Law enforcement estimated the rock-like substance believed to be methamphetamine at approximately 8.07 ounces. Police also found $200 in $20 bills.
Stratton was taken to the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center, where he remains at press time, with the following charges: trafficking in a controlled substance (methamphetamine) within 1,000 feet of a school, three counts of buying or possessing meth-related drug paraphernalia, and one count of unlawful possession of a weapon on school property.
A preliminary hearing in his felony case is slated for May 3 at the Magoffin County Justice Center.
Editor’s Note: The indictment or charge of a person by a grand jury or otherwise is an accusation only and that person is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
