Sylvia Inskeep, 38, of Bellefontaine, and Edward Morgan, 44, of Battle Creek, Mich., each were arrested on drug charges following a 10:44 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 29, traffic stop executed by officers of the Bellefontaine Police Department in the area of east Auburn and east Columbus avenues.
Officers were alerted to a possibly intoxicated motorist driving a black Ford F-150 southbound into the city limits along U.S. Route 68. A reporting motorist told dispatch the truck had nearly struck his vehicle head-on. He provided the truck’s license plate number, allowing officers to locate the vehicle at a red light near east Columbus Avenue and Madriver Street.
Officers observed the truck traveling the wrong way on east Auburn Avenue and initiated a traffic stop.
Upon making contact with the driver, Inskeep, officers noticed signs of visible nervousness, including fidgeting and heavy breathing. A male passenger, who initially identified himself only as “James,” avoided eye contact and repeatedly looked away.
Inskeep told police they were coming from Kenton. During a check on Inskeep’s license, officers discovered she was driving under a non-compliance suspension. Officers then requested that she step out of the vehicle, and as she did so, officers observed her place a clear syringe on the driver’s seat. At that point, officers detained Inskeep.
A search of the passenger, later identified as Morgan, revealed two baggies of suspected methamphetamine, a pill identified as Gabapentin, and an Ohio ID card belonging to someone else. Additionally, a small glass vial was found in Morgan’s pockets. As Morgan exited the vehicle, an orange pill container fell to the ground that contained a variety of prescription pills, including Cyclobenzaprine, Gabapentin and Tramadol.
A probable cause search of the vehicle turned up additional drugs and paraphernalia. Inside the truck’s center console, they found a cigarette pack containing two additional bags of suspected methamphetamine within reach of both occupants. In a book bag on the passenger-side floor, officers uncovered a camo zippered bag with another bag of methamphetamine, two glass pipes, and 22 strips of Buprenorphine, a prescription medication often used in opioid dependency treatment. Additionally, a prescription pill bottle labeled for another individual, containing Quetiapine, was located in the back seat.
The methamphetamine discovered totaled approximately 23 grams between the baggies found in the center console and Morgan’s pockets. Other items seized included two cell phones and the misidentified Ohio ID. Inskeep and Morgan were transported to Logan County Jail, where they were lodged on possession of methamphetamine.
Upon arrival at the jail Morgan asked officers to tell Inskeep that he was “sorry” and he “loved her,” and said he would “probably be gone for a while.”
The case has now been forwarded to the Logan County Prosecutor’s Office for review and potential additional charges.