BUCKHANNON – An Upshur County man was arrested after he was allegedly found with drug paraphernalia on his person during a traffic stop for an expired registration sticker.
Terry Beeson, 62, of Buckhannon, was arrested for possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, methamphetamine, and possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, marijuana, both felonies.
According to the criminal complaint in the Upshur County Magistrate Clerk’s Office filed by Upshur County Sheriff’s Deputy Cole Bender, on Sunday, Feb. 4, at about 10:15 p.m., Bender observed a white Ford Escape pull out of Zickefoose Trailer Court in Buckhannon.
The vehicle had an expired registration as of December 2023, so Bender followed the vehicle to Speedway in his patrol vehicle and initiated a traffic stop in the parking lot.
Bender spoke with the driver, who informed him that her driver’s license had been suspended. According to the report, both the driver and passenger appeared to be shaking and stuttering while speaking to him, and Bender “knew both to be habitual users of controlled substances,” the police report states.
There were also two individuals in the back of the vehicle, one of whom Bender later identified as Beeson. Bender called Cpl. Tyler Chidester and K-9 officer Rico, also of the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office, to request their assistance on the stop.
As Bender was filling out an e-citation for the driver, Chidester arrived, and K-9 Officer Rico performed a free-air sniff of the vehicle. After a positive indication for illegal substances, a search of the vehicle was conducted, and a needle – which the owner of the vehicle allegedly admitted was used to consume methamphetamine – was allegedly found in the center console.
Officers allegedly found a glass pipe with white residue, a small plastic bag containing several other small plastic bags, a small silicon container labeled ‘Dab,’ burnt foil, and approximately $161, along with other drug paraphernalia, on Beeson’s person.
On the floor where Beeson was sitting in the vehicle, Bender allegedly located a black zip-lock container with approximately 1.2 ounces of methamphetamine inside, along with a small bag of marijuana and a small digital scale, according to the report.
The money on Beeson’s person was seized, and he was arrested and transported to the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office for processing before being transported to Tygart Valley Regional Jail.
Bail was set at $50,000 cash or surety by Upshur County Magistrate Alan Suder.
The potential penalty for possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine is confinement in a state penitentiary for not less than one year nor more than 15 years, a fine of not more than $25,000 or both.
The potential penalty for possession with intent to deliver marijuana is confinement in a state penitentiary for not less than one year nor more than five years, or a fine of not more than $15,000, or both.
