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Buckhannon man facing drug and fleeing charges

BUCKHANNON — A Buckhannon man has been arrested on charges dating back to 2016 after he allegedly bolted from Upshur County Sheriff’s deputies attempting to serve a meth lab warrant.

Derrick Junior Hardisty, 31, was charged with operating or attempting to operate a meth lab, a felony; and fleeing from an officer, no vehicle, a misdemeanor.

On June 16, 2016, Cpl. Dewaine Linger responded to a residence on Hackers Creek Road in Upshur County on a domestic dispute call and made contact with Hardisty where it was discovered that he and his girlfriend were having a verbal dispute only, according to the criminal complaint in the Upshur County Magistrate Clerk’s office.

However, Linger allegedly smelled the odor of a clandestine meth lab and asked Hardisty where his lab was located. After initially hesitating, Hardisty took Linger to a camper where he was attempting to cook methamphetamine. Hardisty showed Linger a 20 ounce pop bottle cook and other components used in the cooking of methamphetamine including but not limited to blister packs, starting fluid and used coffee filters. The components tested positive for meth.

Four months later, on Oct. 18, 2016, Linger attempted to serve a warrant on Hardisty for the meth lab. Hardesty said, “So I’m under arrest” and Linger said, “yes, you are under arrest.”

However, Hardisty sprinted down the hill with Linger and Cpl. Theron Caynor chasing him and yelling for Hardesty to stop.

“The defendant continued to run until both deputies lost sight of him,” Linger wrote in the criminal complaint. “Both deputies stayed in the area for about an hour searching for the defendant to no avail.”

Magistrate Mike Coffman set bond at $100,000 — $90,000 cash/surety and $10,000 cash only.

Operating or attempting to operate a clandestine drug laboratory carries confinement in a state correctional facility for two to 10 years and/or fined $5,000 to $25,000. Fleeing from an officer, no vehicle, carries confinement of up to one year in jail and up to a $500 fine.

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