Morehead

HODGESVILLE — A man faces felony and misdemeanor charges after allegedly telling police he was illegally in possession of a firearm and cocaine during a traffic stop.

Gorman Wilson Morehead III, 58, is charged with one count of persons prohibited from possessing firearms and one count of having a concealed firearm, both felonies.

Moorehead is also charged with one count of possession of controlled substances — cocaine, a misdemeanor. He is currently being held at the Tygart Valley Regional Jail on a $30,000 cash-only bond.

According to the criminal complaint, filed by Deputy R.T. Lamb with the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office, on Saturday, Lamb observed a vehicle bearing a Virginia registration parked in a wide spot beside the United Methodist Church on Teter Road.

Lamb observed a man and woman standing outside of the vehicle with both front doors open, the complaint states. Lamb found this “suspicious” due to the location, time of day and the “activity of the individuals.” Later, Lamb observed the same vehicle positioned partially in the roadway of Teter Road, “blocking the eastbound lane of traffic.”

Lamb initiated a traffic stop and spoke with the driver, and with Morehead, the passenger, the complaint states. While speaking to them, Lamb allegedly observed a blue glass marijuana smoking device in the center console and detected the odor of marijuana “emanating from the vehicle.”

Prior to conducting a probable cause search of the vehicle, Morehead allegedly told Lamb that he was a convicted felon for multiple offenses and that he possessed a firearm under the driver’s side seat, the complaint states. Morehead reportedly took full ownership of the firearm.

A search of the vehicle allegedly produced a medium-sized clear and yellow plastic jar containing a small amount of a “white, crystal-like substance,” which Morehead reportedly identified as cocaine, the complaint states. Two other small clear plastic jars containing suspected cocaine residue were also allegedly discovered in the vehicle, along with one glass smoking device.

According to the complaint, Morehead allegedly told Lamb the smoking device was used for the consumption of cocaine. All plastic jars and paraphernalia were found in the area of the passenger seat where Morehead was reportedly sitting.