FAYETTEVILLE, WV (LOOTPRESS) — A routine traffic stop in Fayetteville escalated into a major drug bust Wednesday evening, leading to the arrest of three out-of-state individuals and the hospitalization of one suspect after an apparent drug ingestion.
At approximately 7:20 p.m., Patrolman S.A. Gunnoe observed a grey Honda sedan with Pennsylvania plates swerving on U.S. Route 19 near the Laurel Street exit. Suspecting impaired driving, Gunnoe initiated a stop after the vehicle turned into the Exxon gas station on Davis Street.
Upon approaching the vehicle, Gunnoe reported smelling a strong odor of marijuana. The driver, identified as Casey Bryce Bloom of Pennsylvania, failed to produce a license, registration, or insurance and admitted the vehicle belonged to a friend. His two passengers were identified as Haley Melissa Quinn and Joshua Leroy McNeil, both also from Pennsylvania.
During the stop, Bloom appeared visibly nervous and shaky. When questioned, he initially denied any drug use, later admitting that marijuana belonged to the back-seat passenger.
Gunnoe and backup officer Patrolman J.P. Hannigan conducted a probable-cause search of the vehicle, discovering:
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A plastic container with a white, rock-like powdery substance believed to be crack cocaine
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A second container with white powder residue
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Multiple digital scales
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Marijuana
All three occupants were detained and transported to the Fayetteville Police Department for further questioning. During processing, Bloom began having a seizure in his holding cell. Officers quickly rendered aid and contacted EMS. Quinn then told officers Bloom had ingested “a large amount” of crack cocaine. Bloom was transported to Plateau Medical Center and later transferred to CAMC General Hospital for treatment.
Before being transported to Southern Regional Jail, Quinn confessed the drugs were hers. However, Bloom later claimed the drugs belonged to McNeil, even alleging that McNeil was hiding a package of crack cocaine in his crotch. Officers conducted a second search of McNeil but did not recover any drugs from his person.
According to police, Bloom eventually admitted he brought McNeil to Oak Hill for drug business. McNeil, however, maintained the narcotics weren’t his and that he only uses marijuana.
Charges:
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Haley Quinn: Fugitive from Justice (active warrant in Pennsylvania), Possession with Intent to Deliver, Transporting a Controlled Substance into the State
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Joshua McNeil: Possession with Intent to Deliver, Transporting a Controlled Substance into the State
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Casey Bloom: Possession with Intent to Deliver
Authorities seized all narcotics, cash, and paraphernalia from the vehicle. A search warrant is pending for further inspection of the car.
The incident is under ongoing investigation by the Fayetteville Police Department.
