May 27--Scioto County Sheriff Marty V. Donini said deputies from the Scioto County Sheriff's Office and detectives from the Southern Ohio Drug Task Force about 3:22 p.m. Wednesday arrested Maxwell J. Wiley, 30, of 908 Deantion Lane, South Shore, Ky., and Barbara B. Cornett, 33, of 921 Craig Road, Williamsburg, Ky., on charges of illegal assembly or possession of chemicals for the manufacture of methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine, both felonies.
According to Donini, a deputy patrolman assigned to Porter Township was dispatched to the BP gas station at the intersection of Center Street and Ohio River Road in Wheelersburg to investigate a complaint of Wiley and Cornett sleeping or passed out in a vehicle in the parking lot and not responding to individuals trying to check on their welfare.
After the deputy made contact with Wiley and Cornett, Wiley reportedly fled from the vehicle on foot. The deputy reported finding suspected methamphetamine, drug abuse instruments, and chemicals and equipment commonly used in the production of methamphetamine in the vehicle. Cornett was placed into custody.
Deputies and detectives responding to assist spotted Wiley and a foot pursuit ensued. Wiley was eventually apprehended when he reportedly jumped into the Ohio River in the Sciotoville area in an attempt, deputies said, to further evade law enforcement.
Cornett was additionally charged with possessing a drug abuse instrument, while Wiley was additionally charged with obstructing official business, a felony. Both Wiley and Cornett were placed in the Scioto County Jail.
After being arraigned in Portsmouth Municipal Court on Thursday, Wiley was being held on a $30,000 bond, while Cornett was being held on a $10,000 bond.
A case against Wiley and Cornett will be forwarded to the Scioto County Prosecutor's Office to be presented to a Scioto County grand jury for the consideration of additional felony criminal charges.
Donini thanked the public for there assistance and said anyone wishing to leave drug information for the Southern Ohio Drug Task Force, can contact the Sheriff's Office drug line at 740-351-1094, the Portsmouth Police Dept. drug line at 740- 354-DRUG (3784), or email [email protected]. He said all information will be kept confidential and anonymous.
Frank Lewis may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 232, or at [email protected].
Copyright 2012 - Portsmouth Daily Times, Ohio
