An arrest warrant has been issued for a Mt. Sterling man allegedly caught smoking crack cocaine near anglers at a local lake.
Toby N. Thompson, 35, is charged with possession of heroin, a fifth-degree felony, and illegal possession of drug paraphernalia, a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. Thompson was scheduled for a final pretrial hearing Monday but did not show, according to the Fayette County Court of Common Pleas.
Thompson’s charges stem from an incident that allegedly occurred June 12 at the Deer Creek Wildlife Area near Mt. Sterling in Fayette County.
An arrest report was written by John Coffman, a state wildlife officer with the Wildlife Division of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
Coffman wrote in the report that he was observing anglers at the lake when at approximately 5:50 p.m., he saw Thompson talking with an angler.
“Thompson was talking with an angler but was sitting in a white van,” wrote Coffman in the report. “I could see Thompson moving around inside the van. I was watching from straight in front of the van through the windshield. Thompson was hunched over and I could not see him. When Thompson sat back up he had a clear straight pipe and a lighter in his hands. He looked through the windows towards the road then he ignited the lighter at the end of the pipe. He repeated the process two more times. I contacted Thompson after his third time of smoking from the pipe.”
Coffman reportedly asked Thompson to show his hands, which he did, and then Coffman asked Thompson what he had been smoking. Thompson allegedly said “crack.”
Coffman wrote: “I could see the clear pipe sitting on the floor of the van. I placed Thompson in handcuffs and checked for fit and double locked them. I asked Thompson if there was any other drugs or paraphernalia in the van. He said there was a marijuana pipe in the dash center console. He said there were also hypodermic needles in the console and some in a backpack. He said there was a spoon used for cooking heroin in the backpack as well. I saw a clear plastic container with a baggy inside. I asked Thompson what was in the container and he said that it was heroin. The item in the bag was a black ball about the size of a pea.”
Coffman contacted Fayette County Sheriff’s Office deputies to assist with arresting Thompson and transporting him to the Fayette County Jail.
Kathryn Hapner, Thompson’s public defense attorney, went on the record Monday in front of Judge Steven Beathard to say the case was scheduled for a hearing at 9 a.m., but as of noon he had not appeared.
“I have not heard anything from him,” said Hapner. “I have tried calling him several times and have written to him with no responses.”
As a result, Judge Beathard revoked Thompson’s bond and issued a bench warrant for his arrest.
For medical treatment drug users in Fayette County may contact service providers contracted by the Paint Valley Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health (ADAMH) Services Board:
— Scioto Paint Valley Mental Health Center, 1300 E. Paint St., Washington Court House, OH 43160. The phone number is 740-335-6935 and the crisis line is 740-335-7155.
— Fayette Recovery, 5 Fayette Center, Washington Court House, OH 43160. The phone number is 740-335-8228.
Ohioans may text the state crisis line for immediate help by sending the message ‘4hope’ to the number 741741 at any time.
