BUCKHANNON – A Buckhannon man was arrested after police allegedly found marijuana and methamphetamine in his camouflage jacket – as well as other drug-related paraphernalia in the vehicle he was driving – during a traffic stop Friday.
Ronald Winneberger, 50, of Buckhannon, was arrested on one count of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, marijuana, a felony, and one count of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, methamphetamine, also a felony.
According to the criminal complaint in the Upshur County Magistrate Clerk’s Office filed by investigating officer Patrolman Tanner Collins with the Buckhannon Police Department, Collins was on spotlight patrol on Friday, Nov. 1 near the intersection of Bucklight and Oak Road.
During patrol, Collins observed a vehicle sitting along the road for approximately 10-15 minutes and subsequently pulled up next to the vehicle and observed the back window slightly steamed up and two males in the vehicle.
The passenger rolled down his window, and as Collins began conversing with the passenger, he saw that the driver, Ronald Winneberger, was allegedly in possession of a pipe that’s commonly used in smoking methamphetamine in the driver’s side door, the complaint states.
Collins asked both individuals to step out of the vehicle.
According to the report, while searching the vehicle, Collins allegedly located a black zipper container “with multiple bags, Q-tips and foam” inside the vehicle in the center console area. During a search of Winneberger’s camouflage coat, Collins also allegedly found a large bag of brown leafy substance, which Winneberger reportedly admitted was marijuana and a second bag containing a crystal-like substance, which he admitted was methamphetamine, according to the file.
The crystal-like substance weighted approximately 7.07 grams, and the brown leafy substance weighed approximately 21.06 grams, the complaint says. The officer also found a set of scales in the center console that Winneberger allegedly said belonged to him, in addition to a grinder with a green leafy substance inside a backpack that Winneberger also said was his, the complaint states.
Bail was set at $20,000 for possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, methamphetamine, and $20,000 for possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, marijuana.
The penalty for a conviction on each count of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance is imprisonment for one to 15 years, a fine of up to $25,000 or both.
