Alleged drugs along with cash seized during traffic stop

POMEROY, Ohio – A man has been arrested following alleged drugs and driver license suspension during traffic stop.

According to Meigs County Sheriff Keith Wood, on November 14, 2018, Deputy Tylun Campbell and new K9 Cheri was sitting stationary at a stop sign on Township Road 361 at Leading Creek Road. Deputy Campbell observed a vehicle driven by Michael Clay, who Deputy Campbell had previous knowledge that Clay’s driving privileges had been suspended.  Additionally, according Sheriff Wood, the black Honda hatchback that Clay was driving had fictitious plates that returned to a white Honda Civic.

A traffic stop was made on Leading Creek Road and upon approaching the vehicle, the driver, Michael Clay, 31, of Gallipolis, advised that, “he did not have a license and that he was suspended,” according to authorities. When asked if there was anything illegal in the vehicle, Clay advised that there was “maybe marijuana in the vehicle.” Deputy Campbell used K9 Cheri and conducted a sniff on the vehicle and K9 Cheri alerted on the driver’s door. A search of the vehicle was conducted and a piece of folded-up paper with a powdery substance was located inside. Clay was placed under arrest and after being advised of his rights, Clay allegedly admitted that the powdery substance was heroin and it was his. Also located during the search was a black bag containing a syringe, a scale with residue, a plastic bag containing multiple plastic baggies, and a plastic bag with a white crystal–like substance on the driver’s side of the vehicle hidden under the middle console near the dash. Clay was asked what that substance was in the bag and he stated that it was meth.  A black iPhone and $240 also were discovered.

Dep. Myers transported Clay to the Meigs County Sheriff’s Office. All items were seized, bagged and transported to the Meigs County Sheriff’s Office. The Black Honda was inventoried and towed. Clay was also cited for Driving Under Suspension and Fictitious License Plate.

A forfeiture was served to Michael Clay for the $240 cash and the black iPhone was returned to Clay upon being released.

All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.