Parks

BUCKHANNON — A Randolph County woman faces a felony drug charge in Upshur County after police allegedly found suspected methamphetamine, items used in the sale of drugs, cash and text messages regarding purchasing a pound of methamphetamine.

Hilma Ann Parks, 37, of Beverly, is charged with drug conspiracy over 50g methamphetamine, a felony. She is currently being held at the Tygart Valley Regional Jail on a $25,000 property/surety bond.

According to the criminal complaint, filed by Sgt. Tyler A. Gordon with the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office, on Oct. 17, while Gordon was conducting a separate traffic stop along U.S. Route 33, another vehicle failed to move over for Gordon’s emergency blue lights, “coming close to striking (him) with the mirror of the vehicle.” Gordon noted the vehicle had a black trunk with a white sticker.

On Oct. 18, Gordon observed the same vehicle on Morton Avenue, but when the driver observed the marked patrol vehicle, they allegedly turned south onto Fifth Street and then west onto Cleveland Avenue, the complaint states. Gordon writes that this was “a very illogical driving route.” Gordon also noted that the vehicle had a white sticker that said “Got Hemi?”

Gordon initiated a traffic stop with the vehicle near the intersection of North Florida Street and Cleveland Avenue, the complaint states. The driver and owner of the vehicle was identified as Parks, with a male passenger. Both individuals consented to Gordon searching the vehicle.

According to the complaint, during the search, Gordon allegedly located a blue container with suspected methamphetamine, dozens of unused clear plastic baggies “commonly used in the distribution of illegal or controlled substances” and multiple folded up pieces of foil “also commonly used to distribute and use controlled substances” in Parks’ wallet.

Around $2,031 in cash was also found in Parks’ wallet, the complaint states. Parks allegedly told Gordon that she had recently received $4,200 from the WV Victims’ Compensation Fund and that the case he had found was what she had left. Parks allegedly could only account for a small amount of the missing $2,200.

Parks also consented for Gordon to look through her phone and provided him the password, the complaint states. Upon opening a messaging app, Gordon read a message sent to a known drug supplier that stated, “Listen love I need ur help badly… I need like a lb of go like now. Yes I have a car and can come get you.”

Gordon writes that the message “utilizes street terminology” that implied Runner was allegedly asking to purchase and transport a pound of methamphetamine. Further investigation allegedly uncovered that Parks and Runner were in Buckhannon to meet with a “known drug user and dealer with connections to large amounts of illegal substance.”

A further search through Parks’ phone allegedly revealed more messages that showed Parks’ “current involvement in the sale and distribution of controlled substances including methamphetamine, fentanyl and marijuana.”

A preliminary hearing for Parks has been scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 11 in Upshur County Magistrate Court.