A 39-year-old man is facing a number of charges after being stopped by police for allegedly following another vehicle too closely. During the stop on a northern Ohio turnpike, police allege they found four pounds of what they suspected to be fentanyl. The driver is facing felony drug possession charges.
According to a report, the accused gave state troopers consent to search his vehicle. It was during the search that police said they found a modification to the vehicle, where they said they found the drugs with a street value of about $60,000. Under Ohio law, it is illegal to build, fabricate, modify or alter a vehicle to include any kind of hidden compartment intended to conceal or to transport illegal substances.
The accused – who is a Chicago resident – was arrested for the felony crimes of possession and trafficking of fentanyl and operating a vehicle with a hidden compartment. If the man is convicted, he faces fines of up to $45,000 and more than 23 years in prison. The man would be wise to seek legal advice to fight the charges against him.
A felony drug possession charge in Ohio is a very serious criminal offense on both state and federal levels. Those convicted of this charge could face serious consequences such as lengthy prison time, stiff fines and a suspended driver’s license. Regardless of the facts and circumstances of a particular case, there are defenses that can be raised on behalf of the accused. Speaking to an attorney about what legal strategies are most appropriate in defending a case is the first step in fighting these charges.
