A couple could be facing more than a decade and a half in prison after a police chase that netted more than 100 grams of cocaine.
The Union County Grand Jury has indicted Tasha L. Martin of Reynoldsburg and Dewayne Foster of Sunbury
Martin, 33, has been charged with first-degree felony charges of trafficking in cocaine and possession of cocaine.
Foster, 36, is facing first-degree felony charges of trafficking in cocaine and possession of cocaine and one count of tampering with evidence, a third degree felony.
According to court documents, about 11:24 p.m., Jan. 6, Martin was allegedly driving her 2006 Chevy Monte Carlo east on U.S. 33 near U.S. 42 in Jerome Township. A deputy watched as the car made an allegedly illegal lane change.
The deputy turned on his lights and sirens and began to follow the car.
According to court documents, “the Monte Carlo increased speeds upwards of 90 miles per hour.” The deputy followed as the driver continued east on U.S. 33 before getting on I-270 south then exiting onto Tuttle Crossing Boulevard.
“The driver slowed and came to a quick stop, or really a slow roll and the passenger jumped out,” said Union County Prosecutor Dave Phillips. “The passenger took something with him.”
Phillips said the deputy tried to get assistance from other agencies, “but unfortunately, they were unavailable to help at the time.”
He said the deputy had to choose between following the runner or the driver and chose the driver.
The deputy was able to stop the car and Martin the driver, “complied and exited” according to court documents.
The deputy searched the vehicle and found, “a blue plastic bag containing three bags individually wrapped containing a white powdered substance.”
Martin was taken to Tri- County Regional Jail where she was interviewed.
Through the interview, investigators learned Foster was the man who allegedly jumped out of the car.
“Tasha Martin stated that Dewayne Foster instructed Tasha Martin to not stop for the police because he had ‘too much on him,’” according to court documents.
Martin told investigators that while the deputy was chasing them, Foster was, “rummaging in the back side of his pants and pulled a bag out of his pants.”
She said that in addition to the cocaine, there was also a baggie of marijuana.
“Law enforcement believes he thought that he was grabbing the cocaine to run with, but grabbed the marijuana instead,” Phillips said.
He said officials recovered about 123 grams of cocaine.
“That is a rather large amount, obviously a first-degree felony,” Phillips said. “That is a major drug offense and volume of cocaine and the belief there would be that it is intended for distribution.”
If convicted on all charges, Martin could face as many as 16 years in prison. Foster could face as many as 21 years in prison if convicted.
Also indicted was:
– Herman Joseph Nienhaus, 52, whose court-listed address is the Tri-County Regional Jail. Neinhaus is charged with one count each of possession of cocaine and tampering with evidence stemming from a Jan. 17, incident. If convicted on both charges, Nienhaus could face as many as six years in prison.
– Jessica Dawn Routt, 37, of Delaware. Routt is charged with one count of aggravated possession of drugs stemming from a Jan. 29 incident involving meth. If convicted, Routt could face as many as 12 months in prison.