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Fairmont man facing drug charges

FAIRMONT — A 38-year-old Fairmont man is facing felony charges in Martin County.

Eric Scott Driehorst has been charged with drug possession in the third degree in a park zone, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. He also faces a charge of drug possession in the fifth degree, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

According to the complaint:

At 9:35 p.m. Feb. 18, a Fairmont police officer was on patrol when he observed a black pickup truck that had an obvious illegal tint on the driver-side window traveling south on North North Avenue in Fairmont. The officer followed the truck, which turned quickly into the Lincoln Park entrance, and proceeded to travel south on Main Street.

The officer continued to follow the truck and pulled over the vehicle on the Sylvania Park entrance road.

As the officer approached the door, he recognized Driehorst from previous contacts. The officer told Driehorst about the dark tint, and Driehorst said he had a prescription for it and handed the officer two pages that he claimed was the prescription. Driehorst also handed over an insurance card that expired in 2013.

While speaking to Driehorst, the officer noticed a knife attached to the sun visor of Driehorst’s vehicle. The officer had Driehorst step out of his vehicle, and walk over to the passenger side of his squad vehicle. The officer asked if he had any knives or weapons on him, and Driehorst said he did not.

During that time, the officer observed Driehorst placing his hands inside his sweatshirt pocket, as well as a large bulge in the pocket. The officer patted down Driehorst, and located a small marijuana pipe along with a glass container that contained marijuana shavings. The officer could smell the odor of marijuana coming from the items, and also located a knife in Driehorst’s right pocket during the pat down.

The officer asked Driehorst if anything else was in the vehicle and Driehorst stated no. The officer then searched the vehicle, and located two straws with a white residue on them, typically used to ingest and snort controlled substances. The officer also observed a butane torch and butane refill tube, both of which are common with meth users.

Driehorst said he used the straws to suck up crushed pills into his mouth, explaining that he had a prescription for Oxycodone. When asked about the butane torch, Driehorst said he uses it to light cigarettes while he is driving. The substance on the straws tested positive for meth, and Driehorst was placed under arrest.

The officer then returned to Driehorst’s truck, and continued to search the vehicle. The officer located a small Ziplock baggie containing a white crystal substance that tested positive for the presence of meth. The officer then showed the bag to Driehorst, and asked him to start being honest. Driehorst asked what the bag was and where it was found, and denied knowing anything about the meth or where it came from.

Driehorst said to book him and he would then call his lawyer. Driehorst was then transported to the Martin County Jail. Driehorst later asked to talk to the officer, who reminded him that he had requested his attorney earlier.

Driehorst said he did not want to contact his attorney and, after being read his rights, agreed to speak to the officer. During the interview, Driehorst admitted to lying about the meth and agreed that the one of the straws was used for snorting meth. Driehorst also said the officer had missed finding his meth pipe, which was still in the truck in a hollow spot behind the steering wheel area.

Sylvania Park and Lincoln Park are both park zones.

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