SNYDER
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A misdemeanor theft has led to felony drug charges against a local woman.
The Union County Grand Jury has indicted Suzanne Lynn Snyder, 36, whose court-listed address 851 W. Fifth St., Marysville. Snyder is charged with one count each of aggravated possession of drugs and possession of drugs.
On Dec. 3, a West Fifth Street retailer contacted police about a possible theft in progress. When police arrived they found Snyder, who allowed them so search her body.
“During the search, there were some things found, stolen from the store and some drug items were also found,” Union County Prosecutor Dave Phillips said.
According to court documents, Snyder also had Methadone and Buprenorphine at the time of the arrest. Both drugs are used by recovering heroin addicts.
Phillips said many addicts become, what he called, “dope sick.”
“The thing about drug addicts, opiate addicts especially, if they don’t get their drugs, they get sick,” said Phillips. “So for them to function normally, they have to get the drug.”
Even so, Phillips said there are times when an addict cannot get to drugs for whatever reason. He explained addicts will have suboxone or another drug on hand. He said that isn’t the drug they want, but they will use it as, “a stop gap, a Band-Aid in an effort to act and feel normal.”
He said the drugs are “almost palliative until they can get their opiates.”
If convicted on both charges, Snyder could face as many as 18 months in prison. In addition to the drug charges, Snyder was charged with misdemeanor theft.
During the investigation, it was determined Snyder had a series of outstanding warrants.
Phillips said the warrants were “unrelated” to the case.
Snyder also has a variety of arrests in Union and Madison counties for drug, probation and other court violations.
Also indicted was:
– Melissa R. Pearsall, 40, of 6777 Alexdon Court, Reynoldsburg. Pearsall, is charged with one count of possession of heroin stemming from a Jan. 30, incident involving less than a gram of heroin. If convicted, Pearsall could face as many as 12 months in prison.
– Jessica Rae Williams, 30, of 299 E. Hale St., Ridgeway. Williams is charged with one count each of possession of heroin and possessing drug abuse instruments. According to court documents, on May 15, Williams was arrested with less than a gram of heroin and a hypodermic needle. Williams has a 2013 conviction for aggravated trafficking in heroin form Hardin County. If convicted on both charges, Williams could face as many as 18 months in prison.
– Kelli Nicole Johnson, 32, of Anderson, Indiana. Johnson is charged with two counts of aggravated possession of drugs According to court documents, Johnson was arrested Dec. 6, with Morphine and methamphetamine. If convicted on both counts, Johnson could face as many as 24 months in prison.
– Steven M. Hexter, 52, of 2860 Valleyview Dr., Columbus. Hexter is charged with two counts of aggravated possession of drugs stemming from a Dec. 19 incident. Hexter is charged with having both amphetamine and methamphetamine. If convicted, Hexter could face as many as 24 months in prison.
– Marcus Antonius Miller, 44, of 725 Fairwood Ave., Columbus. Miller is charged with one count of aggravated possession of drugs, stemming from a Jan. 30 incident involving amphetamine. If convicted, Miller could face as many as 12 months in prison.