All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

Buckhannon man arrested for being in possession of dozens of heroin stamps laced with fentanyl

McCartney

BUCKHANNON – A Buckhannon man was arrested Easter Sunday after being found passed out in a vehicle and allegedly in possession of heroin.

Zachary McCartney, 27, was arrested Sunday on two felony charges – possession with intent to deliver controlled substance and unlawful manufacture, delivery or possession of fentanyl – and one misdemeanor, possession of a controlled substance, a misdemeanor. The charges are related to incidents that allegedly occurred on April 12, Easter Sunday, and Feb. 3, 2020.

According to the criminal complaint in the Upshur County Magistrate Clerk’s Office filed by investigating officer Lt. Douglas Loudin with the Buckhannon Police Department, on Sunday at approximately 8:10 a.m., Loudin was dispatched to Valley Green Drive for an unresponsive individual.

Upon arriving, Loudin observed a male individual, later identified as McCartney, slumped over in the driver’s seat of a blue Ford Escape. The report said Loudin also saw a tin container in the center console with the packaging consistent with that of heroin stamps as well as a piece of folded aluminum foil with a “black burn trail.”

According to the report, McCartney was removed from the car and checked by Upshur County EMS; however, he refused further medical treatment. Loudin searched the vehicle and allegedly found four round pills he was later able to identify as clonazepam, a benzodiazepine, a controlled substance. Loudin was assisted by West Virginia State Police Trooper J.S. Tonkin.

At that point, the E911 Upshur County Communication Center informed Loudin that McCartney had two active warrants related to an incident that allegedly occurred in February 2020.

Specifically, a Feb. 3, 2020 complaint also filed by Loudin says police found McCartney in a vehicle slumped over behind the steering wheel of a vehicle behind Middleton Hall at West Virginia Wesleyan College. He was allegedly in possession of 41 stamps of heroin, a Schedule I controlled substance. McCartney later told police the stamps contained fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled substance.

The complaint says officers found a bag containing a small amount of methamphetamine, too.

Magistrate Kay Hurst set bail at $45,000.

The penalty for a conviction of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance is confinement for not less than one year nor more than 15 years, a fine of not more than $25,000 or both. If convicted on the unlawful manufacture, delivery or possession of fentanyl, he would also face confinement of not less than two nor more than 10 year.

Finally, the penalty for a conviction of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance is imprisonment for not less than 90 days nor more than six months, a fine of not more than $1,000 for possession of a controlled substance or both.

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

Moon Flower opens first satellite store at Delmonte Market in Elkins

Moon Flower Hemp, a woman-owned craft cannabis shop, is opening its first satellite location inside Elkins’s Delmonte Market, offering exclusive products, infused drinks, educational support and special perks for early customers.

Buckhannon Community Theatre’s ‘The Lion King Kids’ set to roar at Colonial Arts Center this weekend

Buckhannon Community Theatre will present Disney’s The Lion King Kids on June 20 and 21 at the Colonial Arts Center, showcasing young local talent in a family-friendly production directed by Ella McNeish.

Buckhannon Consolidated Public Works Board Agenda: June 26, 2025

The City of Buckhannon Consolidated Public Works Board has released the agenda for its upcoming June 26, 2025, meeting.

B-U’s Landon Marple earns All-State baseball honors

Buckhannon-Upshur senior Landon Marple, who led his team in multiple offensive categories, was named to the West Virginia Sports Writers Association Class AAAA All-State Baseball Team as an Honorable Mention.

WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital’s Kelly Povroznik earns certification in integrative and functional nutrition

Kelly Povroznik, Director of Food and Nutrition Services at WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital, has earned certification as an Integrative and Functional Nutrition Certified Practitioner, bringing advanced holistic nutrition expertise to her patients and community.

Upshur County Sheriff Mike Coffman says numerous community complaints led to vape shop raids

Community complaints about Upshur County vape shops selling to minors prompted a months-long investigation that led to multi-agency raids, seizure of $500,000 in illegal products, and an ongoing probe with arrests likely.

Buckhannon Banter: Get the local lowdown for June 19, 2025

Argo Books is launching a community co-op, the Upshur County Library has won a grant for new computer classes, Meals on Wheels needs volunteers, and Fish Hawk Acres has resumed ‘grab & go’ service but paused breakfast.

Weese family legacy burns bright as Brandon coaches Flame 304 to new growth

Brandon Weese is continuing his family’s Buckhannon-Upshur basketball legacy by coaching the Flame 304 girls travel team, which now features players from multiple counties and emphasizes both athletic and personal growth.

Upshur County pool splashes back from repairs, continues busy summer with activities, parties and night swims

After a multi-day closure for repairs, the Upshur County Pool is reopening with a packed summer schedule featuring lessons, parties, night swims, and new event packages, positioning it for one of its busiest seasons yet.