Published: August 25, 2008 04:25 pm      

Man eats evidence, hospitalized

Coalgate — A man arrested in Coalgate will not be charged with a felony after he allegedly ate drug evidence while in custody.

Ronald Loyd Hall Jr., 41, Pocola, was taken to Valley View Regional Hospital and placed in intensive care after he reportedly ate what police believe was methamphetamine.

According to a probable cause affidavit, officer Robert Roebuck stopped Hall for a minor traffic violation Aug. 15.

Roebuck said Hall appeared to be very nervous BUT allowed Roebuck to search the vehicle. During the search, Roebuck reportedly found a clear baggy with what appeared to be a “crystal substance” in it.

“I then called the sheriff’s office to have them send a deputy to assist,” Roebuck said in a report. “Deputies Ty Ward, Bobby Hatton and Chad Wilson arrived. At that time, Wilson field tested the substance and it tested positive for methamphetamine,” the report said

Roebuck said he also found a bag with a green leafy substance that field tested positive for marijuana. When a wrecker arrived, Roebuck said he placed the drugs on the center console of the police unit.

While speaking to Hall’s passenger, Ward noticed Hall was leaning over the console of the vehicle. When Roebuck returned to the cruiser, he noticed the bag with the suspected drug was gone.

Authorities said at first Hall refused to be taken to the hospital to receive treatment.

He reportedly started to convulse and had symptoms of what police believed to be an overdose.

Hall was originally arrested on suspicion of possession of a controlled dangerous substance within 2,000 feet of a school after a previous felony conviction, possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, and destroying state's evidence.

Coal County District Attorney Preston Harbuck said Hall is expected to be charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

“Since we didn’t have any actual product to send to the lab, we are unable to file a felony at this time,” Harbuck said.