DAYTON -- William J. Hedges, 30, of St. Clair Shores, Mich, has been indicted on felony charges related to the largest amount of illegal prescription drugs ever discovered during a traffic stop were seized.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol received a report the night of June 20 of a reckless driver southbound on Iâ75 near Vandalia. A trooper responded and reportedly saw it weaving in the road. The trooper initiated a traffic stop and Hedges appeared to be under the influence. He failed the field sobriety test, and was arrested on suspicion of operating the vehicle while under the influence.
Prosecutor Mat Heck Jr. says a subsequent search of the defendantâs vehicle uncovered more than 17,000 pills of prescription medication, with an estimated street value of nearly $340,000.
The defendant has been indicted for two counts of Aggravated Possession of Drugs.
Both counts includes Major Drug Offender specifications.
âThe massive amount of drugs this defendant was transporting would have had a devastating impact on individuals and the community, had it reached the streets," Heck said. "Drug abuse and violence go handâinâhand, so it is crucial that these drugs are intercepted and seized before reaching their destination.â
Heck said that if convicted Hedges faces a mandatory maximum sentence of 11 years in prison. hedges is being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $500,000 bond. He is set to be arraigned on July 9 at 8:30 a.m.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol received a report the night of June 20 of a reckless driver southbound on Iâ75 near Vandalia. A trooper responded and reportedly saw it weaving in the road. The trooper initiated a traffic stop and Hedges appeared to be under the influence. He failed the field sobriety test, and was arrested on suspicion of operating the vehicle while under the influence.
Prosecutor Mat Heck Jr. says a subsequent search of the defendantâs vehicle uncovered more than 17,000 pills of prescription medication, with an estimated street value of nearly $340,000.
The defendant has been indicted for two counts of Aggravated Possession of Drugs.
Both counts includes Major Drug Offender specifications.
âThe massive amount of drugs this defendant was transporting would have had a devastating impact on individuals and the community, had it reached the streets," Heck said. "Drug abuse and violence go handâinâhand, so it is crucial that these drugs are intercepted and seized before reaching their destination.â
Heck said that if convicted Hedges faces a mandatory maximum sentence of 11 years in prison. hedges is being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $500,000 bond. He is set to be arraigned on July 9 at 8:30 a.m.