BUCKHANNON – A Buckhannon man was arrested on a felony drug charge this weekend after allegedly attempting to use a counterfeit $50 bill at a local convenient mart and then fleeing from police.
Michael Crytser, 33, of Buckhannon was arrested Saturday, Oct. 19, on five charges, including possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, amphetamine (Adderall), a felony; possession of counterfeit (money) with intent to utter, a misdemeanor; possession of Suboxone, a misdemeanor; possession of methamphetamine, a misdemeanor; and fleeing on foot, a misdemeanor.
According to the criminal complaint filed in the Upshur County Magistrate Clerk’s Office by investigating officer Deputy Tyler Gordon with the Upshur County Sheriff’s Department, the incident reportedly began on Saturday when Gordon received call in reference to Crytser allegedly attempting to utter – or use – a counterfeit $50 at Dean’s Mart on Mt. Nebo Road.
A witness at the store told Gordon that Crytser had allegedly left the convenience store in a black Jeep Cherokee with a female individual.
Sometime after, Gordon spotted a black Jeep Cherokee turn onto Main Street from Island Avenue. The vehicle was being driven by the same female individual, who Gordon reportedly knew had a suspended driver’s license, according to the file.
Gordon initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle on Main Street as it attempted to park. Crytser then exited the passenger side of the vehicle and allegedly fled on foot from Gordon. Gordon ordered Crytser to stop, saying, “Stop, police!” and using his name, Gordon wrote in the report. Gordon caught up to Crytser and placed him under arrest for an outstanding felony capias, the file states.
According to the report, Gordon emptied Crytser’s pockets and allegedly found a small container holding a crystal-like substance, believed to be methamphetamine, in addition to two counterfeit $50 bills.
Upon searching the vehicle before it was towed, Gordon also allegedly found an Altoids container holding a partial Suboxone strip and blue pills identified as amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance. In addition, Gordon found several clear, empty plastic bags “commonly used in the distribution of controlled substances,” he wrote in the complaint.
Magistrate Kay Hurst set Crytser’s total bail at $32,560, according to the West Virginia Regional Jail Authority’s website.
If convicted on the felony drug charge of possession with intent to deliver amphetamine (Adderall), Crytser faces confinement for not less than one year nor more than five years in the state penitentiary; a fine of up to $15,000; or both.
He also faces a fine of $50 to $500; confinement in jail for a term of not more than one year; or both for fleeing on foot.
On each simple possession charge (possession of methamphetamine and possession of Suboxone), he faces confinement in jail for a term of not less than 90 days but not more than six months; a fine of up to $1,000; or both. Lastly, he faces confinement in jail for a term of not less than six months nor more than one year and a fine of up to $500 for possession of counterfeit with intent to utter.
