Cop Crashes Cruiser Near School While Snorting Lines of Xanax

nvestigating officers say the deputy could barely stand.

AlterNe

A sheriff's deputy in West Virginia has resigned after he was discovered unresponsive, with drug paraphernalia on his person, in a patrol car he wrecked near the entrance of a local middle school.

According to a press release from the Raleigh County Sheriff’s office, deputies got a call about a car crash around 1:30am on August 31. Upon arriving at the scene, the statement reads, “we found that Sgt. Roger Richmond had wrecked a sheriff's cruiser by hitting an embankment” at the entrance of Shady Spring Middle School. Local outlet WSAZ cites court records detailing extensive damage to the car, including a missing front tire and a damaged bumper.

In the driver's seat, according to investigating officers, was Sgt. Richmond, out cold. The Free Thought Project quoted Lt. T.L. Miles, who noted in a criminal complaint that the interior of the car seemed to be dusted with a questionable substance.

“I noted blue powdery residue on the front seat and in the driver-side floor board,” the officer stated in his report. “A short straw was lying between the legs of Richmond. This device is commonly used to ingest crushed pills via the nasal cavity. There was also a dollar bill in the floorboard which has residue on it.”

A local Fox affiliate reports officers said after they woke Richmond up, they noticed he “had slurred speech and bloodshot eyes” and “was unsteady on his feet and needed help to keep him from falling down.” A search of the car turned up four Xanax pills for which Richmond did not have a prescription. A drug screening revealed Xanax in his blood.

The police department press release indicates Richmond “was immediately arrested for DUI first offense and possession of a schedule 4 controlled substance.”

Richmond resigned from his position a few days after his arrest.

“While we recognize that drug addiction reaches all groups and businesses, it is extremely important to understand that no one is above the laws and that the Sheriff's Office will never tolerate any form of criminal action or inappropriate behavior and this incident will remain completely transparent for the general public to see,” the press release from the department concludes.

“This office is deeply saddened by the actions of the former deputy but will take all necessary measures to maintain and keep the trust of the public.”