Probable cause found in Randolph County drug case
ELKINS — Probable cause was ruled to have been met in the case of one of two Valley Bend men allegedly found in possession of a large amount of marijuana and cash, as well as firearms.
Steven Lewis Snead, 66, is charged with one felony count of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and one felony county of conspiracy to commit a felony. Snead is being held at the Tygart Valley Regional Jail on a $750,000 cash-only bond set by Randolph County Chief Magistrate Rob Elbon.
Senior Deputy D.L. VanMeter, of the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, was the sole individual to provide testimony during the hearing Tuesday and said officers produced a search warrant for the home after receiving information regarding possible drug activity at the residence from an agent in Illinois who had arrested an individual with drugs and $10,000 in his vehicle.
Upon arrival at the home, Peter Seigfried Doring, 53, who also is charged, was located on the front porch and he said, “he was busted and the weed was upstairs,” VanMeter testified.
Officers then searched the home, which both men had complete access to, and found both a large amount of cash and drugs, VanMeter said.
“Pursuant to your search warrant, did you in fact search the home?” Randolph County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Lori Haynes asked.
“Yes, I did,” VanMeter said.
“What did you discover in the home?” Haynes asked.
“Approximately over 14 pounds of marijuana, over $113,000 in cash,” VanMeter testified.
VanMeter said officers also located numerous cases of vials containing cannabis oil, scales, baggies and multiple smoking utensils throughout the residence.
Once inside, Snead was also located at a table with “a couple grams of marijuana out,” and he admitted to being a “habitual user” of marijuana. VanMeter said several firearms also were found at the residence when they conducted their search.
“I believe there was two AR’s, there was a shotgun and I believe three pistols,” VanMeter testified.
During cross-examination by Snead’s defense counsel, David Fuellhart, VanMeter testified that while a large amount of money and marijuana was found in the common living room area of the residence, much of the 14 individually packaged pounds were found in Doring’s bedroom.
“There was some stuff found in Mr. Doring’s bedroom. The biggest part of the marijuana was found in, I believe, Mr. Doring’s bedroom,” VanMeter said.
Fuellhart then asked if anything was found in Snead’s upstairs bedroom.
“Some paraphernalia. A little bit of marijuana,” VanMeter said.
During closing arguments, Haynes asked that probable cause be met due to both men living at the residence and each having access to all areas of the home.
“Your honor, we believe the state has met its burden of proof for probable cause in this matter that Steven Snead resided at the residence with Peter Doring and found in that residence, in their possession and control, was a large, large amount of marijuana as well as a large amount of cash on hand,” she said.
“As from testimony you heard from Deputy VanMeter, at all times, the defendant had access within the home, to all areas of the home, where all of this was located,” she continued.
Fuellhart asked that probable cause not be found, citing that most of the drugs and cash were found in Doring’s bedroom.
“There is no evidence that he had access to Mr. Doring’s bedroom other than the bedroom door was open. There is personal space in a house and there is no evidence he actually had access or the permission of Mr. Doring to be in his bedroom,” Fuellhart said.
Haynes represented the state while Snead appeared with Fuellhart as defense counsel. Randolph County Magistrate George M. “Mike” Riggleman presided.
Doring also had a preliminary hearing, which was continued. Haynes represented the state in that hearing while Doring appeared with Brent Easton as defense counsel. Riggleman presided.
Doring is also charged with one felony count of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and one felony county of conspiracy to commit a felony. He is also housed at TVRJ on a $750,000 cash-only bond, set by Elbon.
According to a criminal complaint filed by VanMeter, on Sept. 14, the Mountain Region Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, and the West Virginia State Police served a search warrant at a residence located on Franklin Road in Valley Bend.
Upon arrival to the residence Doring was made aware of the search warrant, and Doring and Snead both were detained for officer safety, police said.
According to the complaint, a number of “individually wrapped baggies of a green, leafy substance” were located in the living room area of the home inside of a black case.
In addition, drug paraphernalia, a “small amount of marijuana,” and a “blue-colored tube approximately four inches in diameter, sealed at each end, approximately four feet long” containing United States currency were located during the initial search of the main floor of the residence, police said.
Firearms, scales, baggies and “14 individually packaged bags containing approximately one pound each of marijuana” all were located and seized following the lawful search of the upstairs of the residence. The criminal complaint states that at the conclusion of the execution of the search warrant, officers seized an estimated amount of more than $113,000.
Also in Randolph County Magistrate Court:
• Tamela K. Broadstone, 41, of Elkins, had her bond modified from $25,000 cash or surety to $10,000 cash or surety. She must also check in daily with North Central Community Corrections if bond is made.
Broadstone is charged with one felony count of receiving or transferring a stolen vehicle.
Additionally, she waived her preliminary hearing, meaning the case will be bound over to the Randolph County Circuit Court for presentation to a grand jury.
Haynes represented the state while Broadstone appeared with Brian Bailey as defense counsel. Riggleman presided.
• A motion for bond modification in the case of Tyler Dayne Fehrenbach, 24, of Elkins, was denied.
Fehrenbach is charged with one felony count of possession with intent to deliver. He remains housed at TVRJ on a $25,000 cash-only bond.
Additionally, his preliminary hearing was continued.
Haynes represented the state while Fehrenbach appeared with Timothy Prentice as defense counsel. Riggleman presided.
• A felony count of failure to appear was filed against Lisa Hinchman, 50, of Beverly, after she did not appear for her preliminary hearing.
Hinchman is charged with one felony count of fraudulent schemes and two misdemeanor counts of worthless checks.
Haynes represented the state while Hinchman was denied court-appointed counsel. Riggleman presided.