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Bond modification denied in drug cases

Hamrick

ELKINS — Bond modification requests were denied for two Randolph County individuals allegedly found in a vehicle with a firearm and drugs.

Scott Jackson Hamrick, 37, of Beverly, is charged with one felony count of possession with intent to deliver. He remains incarcerated at Tygart Valley Regional Jail on a $75,000 cash or surety bond set by Randolph County Magistrate Rob Elbon.

Patsy Meredith Demary, 39, of Elkins, is charged with one felony count of conspiracy. She remains incarcerated at TVRJ on a $25,000 cash or surety bond, also set by Elbon.

Additionally, Elbon ruled that probable cause for the arrest of each of the individuals had been met, meaning the cases will be bound over to the Randolph County Circuit Court for presentation to a grand jury.

Randolph County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Leckta Poling represented the state while Hamrick appeared with Brian Bailey and Demary appeared with Greg Tingler as defense counsel. Elbon presided.

Demary

According to a criminal complaint filed in Randolph County Magistrate Court, on June 19, Elkins Police Department Patrolmen C.G. Boatwright and D.T. Sayre were conducting routine patrol on Industrial Park Road when both officers observed a vehicle making “abrupt turns onto parallel streets.”

The officers proceeded to follow behind the vehicle as it failed to use a turn signal onto Washington Avenue and continued to gain speed while traveling down the dead-end street, the complaint states. As the driver exited the vehicle, he allegedly began to flee into the backyard of a residence.

The driver of the vehicle was later identified as Hamrick, according to the complaint.

Boatwright and Sayre identified themselves and commanded Hamrick to “stop” before he proceeded into the backyard of the residence through a gated fence. The complaint states that Hamrick was observed placing his hands in his pockets and he “tossed” a black bag onto the ground.

Once Hamrick began to comply with the officers, Boatwright located and opened the bag, which held five clear baggies that contained different substances, according to the complaint.

The complaint goes on to state that two of the five bags allegedly contained a crystal-like substance which Boatwright believed to be methamphetamine. Two additional bags also allegedly contained what appeared to be pieces of pills, and the fifth bag contained a substance consistent with marijuana, according to the complaint.

Once Hamrick was placed under arrest by Boatwright, Sayer then advised Boatwright that there was a firearm visible in the vehicle and it was allegedly in close proximity to the passenger, identified as Demary, police said.

The officers retrieved the firearm from the vehicle when they observed a smoking device that had a “brown residue” along with what appeared to be a “large amount” of a crystal-like substance. This substance was later identified as methamphetamine from a field test performed by Sayer, the complaint states. In addition, the officers also retrieved a digital scale with a white crystal-like powdery substance on it in the driver’s side of the vehicle.

While Hamrick and Demary were being transported for processing, Hamrick reportedly said he was “just trying to pay rent,” that he was “not a meth user” and he was “just trying to make money,” according to the complaint.

According to the report, in total, the officers recovered 2.5 grams of a crystal-like substance in a small baggy, 0.4 grams of a crystal-like substance in a small bag, 0.8 grams of a green leafy-like substance, four chunks of yellow and white in color pills in a small bag and one half of a white pill in a small bag, all of which were found inside of the black bag that Hamrick allegedly “tossed.”

In addition, one blue glass smoking device with brown residue, one digital scale with a white crystal powdery substance and 15.2 grams of a crystal-like substance in a clear baggy were recovered in the driver’s side door, the report states. The firearm retrieved was a Glock 23 .40-caliber pistol with a full magazine.

If convicted, Hamrick 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.

If convicted, Demary could be sentenced to not less than one nor more than five years in the state penitentiary, fined not more than $10,000, or both.

Also in Randolph County Magistrate Court Wednesday:

• A request for modification of bond was denied for Christine Woods, 56, of Elkins.

Woods is charged with one felony count of possession with intent to deliver. She remains incarcerated at TVRJ on a $75,000 cash-only bond set by Elbon.

Additionally, her preliminary hearing was continued.

Poling represented the state while Woods appeared with James E. Hawkins Jr. as defense counsel. Elbon presided.

If convicted, Woods 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.

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