An 18-year-old local man was arrested for cocaine and marijuana possession after a Nov. 28 traffic stop.
Braxton Kain Bennett was charged with possession of a Schedule II controlled substance (1.9 grams of cocaine) for resale and cited for simple possession of a Schedule VI drug (marijuana) as well as for driving on the wrong side of the road.
According to Sheriff Patrick Ray, a deputy stopped a black Cadillac when he spotted the car traveling on the left side of the roadway. When the lawman spoke with the driver, Bennett, he reportedly noticed a smell of marijuana.
Bennett allegedly handed the deputy a container containing a plastic bag. The bag reportedly held 1.9 grams of a white powdery substance that field tested to be cocaine. Bennett allegedly admitted that the substance belonged to him. Bennett also gave the officer a baggie containing 1.8 grams of a green, leafy substance believed to be marijuana. Bennett reportedly admitted that the marijuana belonged to him as well.
Meanwhile, the sheriff’s department has made a second arrest in connection with a recent burglary and theft.
Dustin Matthew Brewer, 27, was charged with burglary and theft of property over $1,000 on Nov. 23. His wife, Brandi Louise Brewer, 24, was charged in the same case last week.
The sheriff said the Brewers broke into a building on South Tittsworth Road on Nov. 9 and stole two chainsaws, an air compressor, an air tank, two wrench sets, an impact socket, a socket wrench, a hammer drill, a jigsaw, and a 12-volt drill. The value of the stolen items is said to total $1,374. Some of the items were recovered and identified by the property owner. The case was investigated by a Sheriff's Department detective.
Bond for each was set at $25,000, and they will both appear in court on Dec. 10.
Joshua Lynn McCowan, 30, was cited for driving on a suspended license, failure to maintain lane of travel, and possession of a Schedule II drug (morphine) on Nov. 28.
Ray said a deputy stopped a Honda Accord for failing to maintain its lane of travel and found McCowan driving the vehicle. A computer check allegedly revealed that McCowan's license was suspended for failure to pay fines. After receiving consent to search, the officer reportedly found 30 milligrams of crushed morphine and a spoon in a plastic wrap.
McCowan will appear in court on Jan. 21.
Mark E. Johnson, 30, of Dowelltown was charged with aggravated burglary and theft of property over $1,000 on Oct. 25.
Ray said that Johnson broke into a home through a window and took clothing, sunglasses, watches, and sandals. All the items taken were new and valued at more than $2,500.
His bond was set at $10,000, and will appear in court on Dec. 10.
Richard Leon McDaniel, 40, of Lancaster was charged with domestic assault on Nov. 23.
The sheriff said a deputy responding to a Hayes Ridge Road home to check out reports of a possible gunshot wound spoke with McDaniel and his girlfriend, who had been in an argument. The officer reportedly learned that McDaniel asked the woman to leave the residence, but she refused to go.
The man then allegedly threatened to burn the house down, which caused the woman to fear bodily harm. She apparently retrieved a gun for protection, and as McDaniel tried to take the gun away from her it discharged. No one was injured.
His bond was set at $2,000, and he will appear in court on Dec. 10.
Taren Renee Pilley, 33, was charged with being a fugitive from justice on Nov. 24.
Ray said a sheriff's department detective conducted a traffic stop on Highway 70 and found Pilley to be a passenger in the vehicle. A computer check revealed that she is wanted in Butler County, Ohio for failure to appear and child support. Pilley was placed under arrest.
Her bond was set at $25,000, and she will appear in court on Dec. 10.
Tammye Estes, 46, of Liberty was charged with driving under the influence and cited for a violation of driving on roadways laned for travel and implied consent on Nov. 25.
The sheriff said a deputy responding to Short Mountain Highway in the area of Tabernacle Road in reference to a one vehicle accident spoke with the driver, Estes. Her speech was slurred and eyes were glazed. She was also unsteady on her feet. Estes told the officer she had earlier taken a Percocet pill. She performed poorly on field sobriety tasks and refused to submit to a blood test. Estes was placed under arrest.
Her bond was set at $1,500, and she will appear in court on Dec. 17.
Johnny Wayne Trapp, 59, was charged with public intoxication on Nov. 27.
Ray said a deputy responding to Highway 56 North and Pine Grove Road where someone was seen lying in a ditch found Trapp in the ditch. He appeared to be unsteady on his feet and allegedly had a strong odor of alcohol on him.
Trapp reportedly admitted to having been drinking. A 25-ounce can of Bud Lite, three quarters empty, was found beside of him.
His bond was set at $1,500, and he will appear in court on Dec. 10.
Olivia Hope Barber, 18, was charged with evading arrest on Nov. 27.
The sheriff said a deputy went to Yulonda Hills Road to serve a drug court order on Barber. As he approached the residence, the officer saw Barber run out the back door.
The deputy identified himself and called for Barber to stop, but she kept running. The officer caught up with Barber and placed her under arrest.
The drug court order against her is for breaking house arrest, not attending classes, and not having contact with the drug court staff.
Her bond was set at $1,500 for evading arrest, and she is being held without bond on the drug court order violation. She will appear in court on Dec. 10.
