AVOCA – A Bedford man is facing drug charges after a Lawrence County Sheriff’s deputy stopped an erratic driver on State Road 54 near the intersection of Avoca Eureka Road Monday.
Sgt. Michael Williams was traveling east on State Road 54 near the intersection of Avoca Eureka Road when he noticed a gold Ford that entered his lane of travel. The Ford was traveling west on State Road 54 from State Road 37. Sgt. Williams had to quickly apply his brakes to avoid a collision. The driver of the Ford then turned north on Avoca Eureka Road and into the Avoca Mini Mart parking lot.
The officer followed and stopped the driver, 37-year-old Jay Hickman. The license plate on the Ford was expired. Hickman immediately exited his vehicle and went to the rear of the vehicle.
Hickman appeared nervous and told contradicting statements to the officer. The officer asked for Hickman’s driver’s license and registration. As Hickman reached into his vehicle to retrieve the registration Sgt. Williams saw a small plastic baggy containing a white powdery substance. Hickman was then detained.
Hickman told the officer that while at a gas station in Bloomington, he observed the baggie on the ground and picked it up. He then put it back on the ground and it must have stuck to his boot.
Hickman was placed in the back of the police vehicle and then admitted there was a glass smoking pipe in the front floorboard of the vehicle.
The officer located the pipe, which tested positive for meth, along with two vape devices containing THC.
Hickman is facing charges of possession of meth, possession of a narcotic drug, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
