Claypool

PHILIPPI — A Harrison County man faces multiple felony drug charges after methamphetamine and fentanyl were allegedly found in a vehicle involved in a fatal accident that killed a Barbour County woman.

Chadley Russell Claypool, 39, is charged with two counts of manufacturing or possessing schedule I or II narcotic or meth with intent to deliver; one count of conspiracy to manufacture, deliver or possess with intent to deliver 100-1000g heroin, 100-1000g cocaine, phencyclidine, etc.; one count of conspiracy to manufacture, deliver or possess 10g-100g heroin, 10g-100g cocaine, 2g-10g phencyclidine, etc. All three charges are felonies.

Claypool is currently being held at the North Central Regional Jail on a $100,000 surety/cash bond.

According to the criminal complaint, filed by Corporal Calvin Parks with the Barbour County Sheriff’s Office, on Dec. 2, Parks was dispatched to a vehicle crash that was over an embankment near WCW Coal Company Road in Philippi.

Upon arrival, Parks made contact with Claypool, who was trying to exit the vehicle, the complaint states. Claypool allegedly said he was in severe pain and that his leg was hurt. Parks told Claypool to stay still and asked if there was anyone else in the vehicle, to which Parks said there was one other person. Another deputy with the Barbour County Sheriff’s Office arrived on the scene and stayed with Claypool. 

Parks then opened the front passenger seat and observed an individual, later identified as Tiffany Hillery, unconscious with a head injury and a compound fracture on her left leg, the complaint states. Parks attempted to wake Hillery and check her pulse, but he was unable to find a pulse. When EMS arrived on scene, they were also unable to find a pulse and pronounced Hillery as deceased.

As Parks looked for Hillery’s ID in her purse, he observed a baggie containing a “white powdery substance presumed to be fentanyl,” the complaint states. Parks also located a corner of a baggie with a “crystal-like substance residue” in Claypool’s left pocket after EMS had cut the clothing from Claypool. Two more baggies containing a “crystal-like substance” were found in Hillery’s purse.

When the second deputy was speaking with Claypool, Claypool stated that he “needs to close his gas cap” on his vehicle, the complaint states. The deputy allegedly observed Claypool make a “quick movement” to reach up to the gas cap and close it. Parks obtained a search warrant for the vehicle and, during the execution of the warrant, allegedly located a baggie of a “white powdery substance presumed to be fentanyl” located in the gas cap “where (Claypool) had last been.”

After the accident, Claypool was transported to United Hospital Center to receive treatment for his injuries, the complaint states. United Hospital Center housekeeping located Claypool’s jacket and Parks writes that they allegedly found Hillery’s cellphone and approximately $1,190 with Claypool’s blood on it inside the inner lining of the jacket.

According to the complaint, the baggie allegedly found in the vehicle’s gas cap tested positive for fentanyl. Parks was also advised by Hillery’s mother, whose residence Claypool and Hillary had left from before the accident, that the two of them were enroute to “deliver the controlled substances to an individual located in Harrison County.”

Claypool allegedly has three prior possession with intent to deliver convictions from 2012, 2013 and 2014, the complaint states.

A preliminary hearing for Claypool has been scheduled for today at the Barbour County Magistrate Court.