SALYERSVILLE – Two from Floyd County were arrested on meth trafficking-related charges during a traffic stop on Restaurant Row early on Monday morning.
At approximately 1:15 a.m. on June 23, Magoffin County Sheriff Department Deputy N. Watson was on patrol at redlight #1 on the Restaurant Row portion of the Mountain Parkway when he reportedly saw a silver pickup truck drive by with a loud exhaust, a tail light out, and the rear license plate not illuminated, spurring him to initiate a traffic stop, according to police records.
Deputy Watson ran the driver and passenger’s identification through dispatch, with the driver’s license coming back suspended and the passenger’s valid. Both were questioned and provided conflicting answers. Police noted being able to see in the back seat a small bag, tied into a knot, which resembled a dosage unit of methamphetamine, according to the arrest citations.
Deputy Watson and Salyersville Police Department Mike Nickels took the occupants to the front of Watson’s vehicle and had Deputy Jailer Fred Arnett stand with the two while the officers were able to search the vehicle, according to the police report.
During the search, police found a small bag of a rocky-type substance believed to be methamphetamine from the backseat, two small pieces of rocky type substances believed to be methamphetamine, multi-colored medium size backpack with a set of digital scales, cooking spoon with residue, and a small clear bag with a white powdery substance, “which the owner states is baking soda for cutting methamphetamine,” Deputy Watson noted in the citation. They also found the bottom of an aluminum can with residue, a new unused methamphetamine pipe and a dose of Narcan.
The driver, identified as Melinda Hurd, 30, of Prestonsburg, was charged with first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, first offense, less than two grams of methamphetamine; trafficking in legend drugs, first offense; buying or possessing drug paraphernalia; and operating on a suspended or revoked operator’s license.
The passenger, Jeremiah C. Mahan, 31, also of Prestonsburg, was charged with first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, first offense, less than two grams of methamphetamine; trafficking in legend drugs, first offense and five counts of buying or possessing drug paraphernalia.
Both were taken to the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center, where they remain at press time.
Hurd and Mahan both have preliminary hearings in their felony cases set for June 30 at 9:15 a.m. 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.
