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

French Creek man arrested for alleged methamphetamine possession

TALLMANSVILLE – An Upshur County man was arrested Thursday after allegedly being found in possession of methamphetamine and driving while his license was revoked for DUI.

Matthew Alderman, 34, of French Creek was arrested for possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, a felony, and driving while license revoked for DUI, a misdemeanor.

According to the criminal complaint in the Upshur County Magistrate Clerk’s Office filed by investigating officer Cpl. Tyler Gordon with the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday, Oct. 22, Gordon and another deputy saw a black Chevy Trailblazer traveling east on Tallmansville Road.

The file alleges the vehicle crossed the center double line of the roadway, which led Gordon to initiated a traffic stop on Manning Road and subsequently identify the driver as Alderman.

According to the report, Alderman’s driver’s license was revoked for DUI, with an effective date of Aug. 28, 2009. Gordon then asked Alderman to step out of the vehicle and he complied, and Gordon conducted a pat down of Alderman’s person. During the search, Gordon allegedly found a felt bag containing some type of controlled substance.

Gordon removed a black felt bag allegedly containing approximately 16 grams of suspected methamphetamine valued at approximately $1,600 in addition to a black digital scale with a crystal-like residue. Alderman was also carrying abut $475 in his wallet, but deputies did not seize the cash.

Bail was set at $30,000 for possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine.

The potential penalty for a conviction of possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine is confinement for not less than one year nor more than five years, a fine of not more than $15,000 or both. The potential penalty for a conviction of driving while license revoked for DUI is confinement in jail for not less than 30 days nor more than six months and a fine ranging between $100 and $500.

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