Woman is arrested on drug charges
ELKINS — A Randolph County woman was arrested after being found in possession of a large amount of marijuana.
Beth A. Meadows, 51, of Elkins, is charged with one felony count of possession with intent to deliver a schedule I controlled substance. Her bond was set at $50,000 cash-only by Randolph County Magistrate George M. “Mike” Riggleman.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Randolph County Magistrate Court, on Oct. 14, Patrolman First Class K.A. Shiflett, Senior Patrolman T.H. Foster and Patrolman T.C. Bennett, all of the Elkins Police Department, were dispatched to State Street, in Elkins, regarding a possible firearm theft.
Once on scene, officers were met by a male individual who said that Meadows was “tripping out,” and that he did not steal her firearm.
Foster entered the residence and located the firearm, which was found not to be in the male individual’s possession, according to the complaint.
At that time, the male individual entered the residence and told Shiflett there was some “shady stuff” going on at the residence before opening the freezer then taking his belongings out of the home.
Officers asked Meadows what was going on at the residence causing her to go to a small freezer in the front of the home and remove three trash bags, dumping the contents onto the floor and saying “none of this is mine.”
Shiflett then saw a large quantity of a green leafy substance he believed to be marijuana that was dumped from the bags, the complaint states.
Bennett secured the residence and search warrants were obtained for the residence. Officers then photographed the three “large garbage bags” filled with marijuana that were inside the freezer.
Upon searching the living room of the residence, officers located a purse which contained a pipe, pill crusher and $177, which were obtained into evidence.
Inside a closet, officers located a second purse which contained three bags, and one bottle, of seeds which are believed to be marijuana seeds, the complaint states.
In a downstairs bedroom, officers found a digital scale, three boxes of sandwich bags, three bags of possible marijuana seeds, two smoking devices and a pill cutter.
According to the criminal complaint, officers also search two vehicles on the property. Inside the first, a Ford Explorer, they located a safe in the rear passenger seat that contained 14 bags of a substance believed to be marijuana along with $200.
Also found inside the Explorer were envelopes with writing on them that officers “believe to be ledgers,” or “‘Owe’ sheets,” the complaint states.
A Chevrolet Nova, found in the garage of the residence, contained a box of a “dried out” leafy substance believed to be marijuana, the complaint states.
If convicted, Meadows could be sentenced to not less than one nor more than 15 years in the state penitentiary, fined not more than $25,000, or both.
Other arrests recorded in Randolph County:
• Jessica Haley McDougal, 25, of Elkins, is charged with one felony count of possession with intent to deliver. Her bond was set at $25,000 cash-only by Riggleman.
At approximately 11:35 p.m. on Tuesday, Deputy D.D. Pennington, of the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, received a call referencing a shoplifter at Wal-Mart, located in Elkins, according to a criminal complaint filed in Randolph County Magistrate Court.
Upon arrival, Pennington was told by Wal-Mart associates that McDougal had concealed items and passed the register without paying for them. They added they believed she had additional items concealed in her purse but refused to let them search it.
Pennington spoke with McDougal and inquired if there was any stolen merchandise in the purse and she said there was not. Pennington then acquired consent to look through the purse.
As she handed Pennington the purse she told him she did have a couple items concealed and then “slightly unzipped” the purse to pull out the two items, the complaint states.
Pennington told her he believed there were additional items in the purse and opened it completely, revealing four more concealed items.
Pennington also found a small Ziploc bag that had several smaller bags inside containing a white powder substance as well as a green pill crusher containing a yellow powder substance, according to the complaint.
Pennington separated the contents of the Ziploc bag and found there to be 10 individually wrapped bags that contained a white crystal substance believed to be methamphetamine.
Pennington noted in the report that based off his training and experience the substance appeared to be packaged for sale.
He also noted in the report that there were three individually wrapped “brown chunks” he believed to be heroin. He was unable to identify the yellow substance contained within the pill crusher, the complaint states.
If convicted, McDougal could be sentenced to not less than one nor more than 15 years in the state penitentiary, fined not more than $25,000, or both.