Eight Arrested in Martinsville Drug Bust

(MARTINSVILLE) – Police say eight people in Martinsville are facing various drug charges after multiple arrests last weekend.

In one case, police say they found more than 700 syringes, many still in the bags. They also found more than 270 grams of meth in addition to a gun. Five people were arrested.

The arrests were a result of great work by Sgt Ryan Mckee, Officer John Herrington, Officer Phil Hammans, K-9 Officer Dustin Tarr, and K9 EDO with assistance by the Detective Division, the Morgan County Prosecutors Office and the Morgan County Sheriff’s Department.

Three additional suspects were arrested in separate incidents and charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, unlawful possession of syringes, and possession of meth.

Police Chief Rodger Wiltermood sees the weekend’s arrests not only as a win for the fight against drugs but a win for department personnel.

“The department, Patrol Division and our street officers have done a great job in getting drugs and offenders off the street,” he said. “This is showing me the morale of the department is picking back up.”

Mayor Shannon Kohl expressed her gratitude. “The group we have is extremely dedicated to the department and to the residents of Martinsville. These arrests are a great reflection of that,” she said. “There’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes, they work tirelessly and many hours, that many don’t see.”

Chief Wiltermood, along with Mayor Kohl and Deputy Chief John Richards, thank the Police Department for its work and challenges the officers to “keep up the good work.”

The following suspects were taken into custody for the following charges. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Tyler Sizemore

  • Dealing methamphetamine
  • Possession of methamphetamine
  • Maintaining a common nuisance
  • Possession of Syringe 
  • Possession of Paraphernalia

Jenny Lazado 

  • Visiting a common nuisance

Dustin Barber

  • Visiting a common nuisance

Aaron Carter -Stone

  • Visiting a common nuisance

Caroline Gibson

  • Visiting a common nuisance

Kaitlyn Swegman 

  • Unlawful entry for a motor vehicle 
  • Residential entry
  • Possession of syringe 
  • Possession of methamphetamine

Brooke Elliott 

  • Possession of paraphernalia 
  • Possession of syringe 
  • Possession of methamphetamine
  • Visiting a common nuisance

Jerry Hutchison

  • Driving while suspended prior
  • Operating a motor vehicle with an altered license plate
  • Possession of paraphernalia 
  • Maintaining a common nuisance