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ELKINS - An inmate has been charged for allegedly being found with drugs on his person within the Tygart Valley Regional Jail.
Harley Blaine Croston, 40, is charged with possession of a controlled substance by an inmate, a felony. He is being held in the Tygart Valley Regional Jail on a $5,000 cash-only bond set by Randolph County Magistrate Mike Dyer.
According to the criminal complaint, prepared by Trooper Thomas J. Sclimenti of the Elkins Detachment of the West Virginia State Police, on Sept. 4, police were notified that Croston, an inmate at Tygart Valley Regional Jail, had "allegedly been discovered in possession of a suspected controlled substance and officer assistance was requested."
A correctional officer at the jail said the suspected white crystalline substance was consistent with methamphetamine, the complaint states. The officer said that, during a strip search at the jail, he noticed Croston "speaking as if something was in his mouth." The officer said he instructed Croston to open his mouth and lift his tongue, revealing a "baggy" within his mouth.
The officer said he ordered Croston to give him the bag, but Croston said "he did not have anything," according to the complaint. The officer reported his command, and Croston complied. The "baggy" was placed into evidence.
Sclimenti interviewed Croston, who allegedly said he "found the substance in the bathroom, wrapped in paper," the complaint states. Croston reportedly told Sclimenti that he didn’t know what to do when the correctional officer came to his cell "so he put it into his mouth." Croston allegedly said he did not bring the substance into the jail, but added he kew "it to be methamphetamine once he unwrapped it."
Croston was initially arrested in Barbour County on one count of possession of a controlled substance "due to suspected methamphetamine being located in the vehicle he was occupying," according to the complaint, which also notes that Croston has had previous convictions for possession of a controlled substance.