Hill

BELINGTON — A Barbour County man faces felony charges after police allegedly found more than 70 marijuana plants in his home.

Karl Kevin Hill, 62, of Belington, is charged with one count of possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine and one count of cultivation of marijuana, both felonies. Hill is currently being held at the Tygart Regional Jail on a $75,000 property/surety bond.

According to the criminal complaint filed by Cpl. Gunnar Kennedy with the Barbour County Sheriff’s Office, on April 17, Kennedy received a call for service through Barbour County Communications in reference to a woman who had concerns regarding her mother being transported by Barbour County EMS earlier that day.

The woman advised Kennedy that her mother had been at Hill’s residence in Belington when she became unresponsive, the complaint states. Hill transported the woman’s mother to the intersection of Route 250 and Route 92 to meet with EMS personnel. The woman further advised that EMS personnel reportedly said that Hill left the scene after handing the woman’s mother over to EMS. Hill also allegedly told EMS that the woman’s mother had been unresponsive for 30 minutes before 911 was called.

Kennedy writes that, based on his training and experience, delays in seeking medical assistance and leaving the scene like this are “consistent with attempts to avoid detection of illegal activity.” The woman also advised Kennedy that her mother tested positive for methamphetamine when she was taken to Davis Medical Center in Elkins.

After conducting a criminal history check on Hill, Kennedy found that Hill reportedly had multiple prior charges, including “operating a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory,” cultivating marijuana and possession with intent to deliver controlled substances, the complaint states. Kennedy also made contact with someone who provided information on Hill based on firsthand observation.

The witness stated that they allegedly observed marijuana plants inside Hill’s residence within the past few weeks. Hill had reportedly showed the witness multiple marijuana plants inside one room and the plants were approximately 2 to 3 feet in height, the complaint states. The witness also provided police with an aerial drawing of the property and identified the location of the residence, as well as an interior layout identifying the room where the marijuana was being cultivated.

A search warrant for Hill’s residence was obtained and executed, the complaint states. During the execution of the warrant, officers allegedly recovered approximately 15 mature marijuana plants and 62 immature marijuana plants, commonly referred to as “clones.” Police also reportedly recovered approximately $210, a bag containing a “white crystalline substance consistent with methamphetamine” weighting approximately 16.1 grams, a DVR containing surveillance footage, four round of an unknown ammunition type and two digital scales.