MOUNT HOPE, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A 30-year-old Mount Hope man is facing multiple charges after a traffic stop in Mount Hope led to the discovery of suspected methamphetamine, a shotgun and cash, according to a criminal complaint filed by the Mount Hope Police Department in Fayette County Magistrate Court.
Brandon Lee Clark, 30, has been charged with possession with intent to deliver, being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm, first-offense driving under the influence and driving on a suspended license.
According to the complaint, Mount Hope Police Chief S.M. Jasper was conducting routine traffic patrol at about 5:36 p.m. Thursday, June 25, when he observed Clark driving a green Jeep northbound on Main Street. Knowing Clark’s driver’s license was suspended, Jasper radioed Patrolman W.M. Jackson, who was following the vehicle, and instructed him to conduct a traffic stop.
The complaint states Jackson activated his emergency lights and siren, and Clark stopped near the football stadium on Stadium Drive. While speaking with Clark, Jackson reportedly observed that Clark’s speech was rapid and that his pupils were constricted.
Chief Jasper stated he asked Clark whether there was anything illegal inside the vehicle. According to the complaint, Clark became nervous, began sweating and shifting in his seat, and replied, “There is nothing in here.”
After Clark declined consent to search the vehicle, Jasper requested a Fayette County Sheriff’s Office K-9 unit to conduct an exterior sniff of the Jeep.
While waiting for the K-9 unit to arrive, officers asked Clark to exit the vehicle and perform standardized field sobriety tests. According to the complaint, Clark appeared slightly off balance and displayed several indicators of impairment during multiple evaluations. The complaint states Clark refused to perform the walk-and-turn and one-leg stand tests.
Based on the investigation, Jasper arrested Clark on a charge of driving under the influence of a controlled substance.
During a search following the arrest, officers reportedly recovered $635 in cash from Clark’s person. After being advised of his Miranda rights, Clark again denied there was anything illegal inside the vehicle, according to the complaint.
The complaint states Fayette County Sheriff’s Deputy Wickline and a police K-9 arrived and the dog gave a positive alert on the passenger side of the Jeep. Officers from the Mount Hope Police Department, the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office and the West Virginia State Police then searched the vehicle.
According to the complaint, officers located a small plastic container with a blue lid containing a clear, whitish crystal substance weighing approximately 10.84 grams, including the container, between the center console and passenger seat. A Rock Island Armory 12-gauge shotgun was also reportedly found in the back seat.
The complaint states Trooper Farris advised Jasper that Clark was prohibited from possessing firearms because of a prior felony conviction. A records check through Fayette County E-911 allegedly confirmed Clark had a Fayette County felony conviction dated Aug. 17, 2018.
Clark was transported to Plateau Medical Center in Oak Hill for a consensual blood draw before being taken back to the Mount Hope Police Department for processing.
While transporting Clark, Jasper alleges he asked where the cash had come from. According to the complaint, Clark responded that he had “just sold some meth and was heading back home.” When asked whether the suspected drugs found inside the Jeep were what remained, the complaint states Clark replied, “Yes.”
The suspected narcotics were submitted to the West Virginia State Police Crime Laboratory for testing and confirmation.
Based on the alleged confession, the amount of cash recovered and the suspected narcotics, police charged Clark with possession with intent to deliver. He was subsequently transported to Southern Regional Jail to await arraignment.
