A pair of West Virginia women could each face more than four decades in prison after allegedly attempting to traffic cocaine and fentanyl.
The Union County Grand Jury has indicted Lynn Sue Tucker and Michelle Fay Saunders, both of West Virginia.
Tucker, 56, is charged with one count each of trafficking in cocaine, falsification, possession of cocaine, tampering with evidence, trafficking in a fentanyl-related compound and possession of a fentanyl-related compound.
Saunders, 21, is charged with two counts of tampering with evidence and one count each of trafficking in cocaine, falsification, possession of cocaine, trafficking in a fentanyl-related compound and possession of a fentanyl-related compound.
According to court documents, at 2:01 a.m., March 3, deputies stopped a white Chevy Malibu displaying a West Virginia registration for a marked lanes violation and littering. During the traffic stop, the driver, later identified as Tucker, told the deputies her name was Lisa R. Daniels. The deputies were given permission to search the vehicle.
Union County Prosecutor Dave Phillips said that when the deputy went to talk with Saunders, who was in the back seat of a cruiser, he saw a “large black bag on the floor.”
According to court documents, the woman said the bag wasn’t hers.
The deputy reviewed his rear-seat camera and saw the woman reach into her pants.
“Michelle removed the bag from her pants, threw it on the floor, and (the deputy) could see Michelle use her left foot to try and kick it under the partition.”
Phillips said the bag had 82 grams of what tested to be cocaine inside.
During the search, investigators found a pink container with an unknown white substance inside in the driver’s door. Additionally, the investigators found a burnt glass pipe in the driver’s purse. The driver also had multiple burnt glass pipes on her or in her clothes and shoes.
“The driver then told deputies she was lying about her name due to not having a valid driver’s license,” according to court documents.
If convicted, Tucker could face more than 41 years in prison and Saunders could face more than 46 years in prison.
Also indicted was:
Eddie Clifford Bevins, Jr, 38, of Columbus, is charged with one count each of failure to comply with the order of a police officer and complicity in the commission of an offense.
At 6:02 p.m., March 15, employees from McAuliffe’s Ace hardware store, 1299 W. Fifth St., called police to report a theft. The employees said a man and a woman, later identified as Jones and McCullough had walked out the door with hundreds of dollars’ worth of tools. The employee said the alleged thieves walked to a nearby restaurant and got into a Nissan Rogue where Bevins was waiting. The Rogue got onto U.S. 33 headed east.
Capt. Nathan Sachs with the Marysville Division of Police said officials were able to find the car and “a brief vehicle pursuit ensued.”
Sachs said that when chase reached speeds of 100 miles per hour, police called it off, knowing they had the vehicle license plate and description .
Vehicle information was given to nearby law enforcement agencies. Deputies from the Union County Sheriff’s Office located the Rogue on U.S. 33 near Beecher Gamble Road.
According to court documents, Bevins, “refused to stop.”
“A pursuit was initiated, and the vehicle eventually stopped in a parking lot in the 6800 block of Bobcat Way in Dublin,” according to court documents.
Two of the suspects stayed with the car but one ran.
Eventually all three were arrested. Bevins was taken to the Tri-County Regional Jail.
If convicted, Bevins could face more than five years in prison.
Logan Matthew Gorsuch, 20, whose court listed address is Central Ohio Youth Center. Gorsuch is charged with one count of having weapons while under disability. According to court documents, on Feb. 27, Gorsuch was arrested with a 9-mm handgun. Because he was convicted of aggravated menacing as a juvenile, Gorsuch is not allowed to have or use a gun.
If convicted, Gorsuch could face as many as five years in prison and prosecutors could make Gorsuch forfeit the gun.
Ian Patrick Mackey, 27, of 118 S. Walnut St. Mackey is charged with one count each of trespass in a habitation, criminal damaging or endangering and obstructing official business.
Phillips said that on Feb. 25, Mackey was “highly intoxicated.”
“He allegedly walked into the victim’s home,” Phillips said. “He was escorted out by the resident without incident.”
The prosecutor said the resident did not know Mackey.
Mackey entered the home again and was again escorted out.
Eventually Mackey got upset and allegedly threw a brick through the window then fled.
If convicted, Mackey could face more than two years in prison.