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ELKINS -- A report of a potential overdose led to law enforcement officers allegedly discovering methamphetamine and several firearms in an Elkins residence.
Michael Paul White, 44, is charged with a felony count of possession of methamphetamine and seven misdemeanor counts of being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm.
According to a press release from the Randolph County Sheriff's Office, deputies received a call in reference to a male individual reportedly overdosing at a residence on Highland Street in Elkins. On the scene, deputies encountered a shirtless male, White, who appeared to be under the influence. White told deputies there was no one else in the home and gave permission to the deputies to check the house.
"As deputies were ensuring that no one else was present in the home who may need medical assistance due to an overdose, deputies observed drug paraphernalia consistent with illegal substance use, along with an open wrapper to a 'Narcan' wrapper and a spent cartridge in plain view," the release states.
Deputies then obtained a search warrant for the residence and White was detained, according to the release. During the execution of the search warrant, officers found drug paraphernalia scattered throughout the home. In White's bedroom, ice trays were present with water all over the floor, next to a spent Narcan cartridge.
"Beside the defendant's bed in the window sill, a set of digital scales were recovered, " the release states. "A large gun safe was then located in the defendant's bedroom. Inside the gun safe, several firearms were located along with a large amount of ammunition and a green in color baggie containing a crystal-like substance consistent with methamphetamine."
According to the release, the firearms inside the gun safe included an AK-47 assault riffle, an AR-15 assault rifle, a Remington Model 770, a Remington Model 760, a Glenfield Model 50 12-gauge and a Model OF 1917 Eddystone rifle. White allegedly told officers the drugs and the gun belonged to him.
When asked what drugs he uses, White responded, "meth and smoke a little pot," the release states. He told officers that "he typically only uses meth on the weekends and that he's been using meth for 'about a year and a half.'"