State Patrol seizes meth chemicals, stolen copper in Ohio county

JACKSON, Ohio — Four people face felony drug and receiving stolen property charges after Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers seized several rolls of stolen copper wire, valued at $1,660, and chemicals used to manufacture methamphetamine during a traffic stop in Jackson County.

According to a patrol press release, troopers stopped a silver 1986 Ford Thunderbird for a speed violation on U.S. Route 35 eastbound about 7:34 p.m. Wednesday. Troopers observed criminal indicators and aa consent search revealed several rolls of copper wire, later found to be stolen, and chemicals used to manufacture methamphetamines.

The driver, Donald M. Brick, 37, of Sandyville, W.Va., was charged with receiving stolen property, a fifth-degree felony. The passengers, Todd M. Scaggs, 47, of Rougemont, N.C.; Jennifer N. Chapman, 26, of Seth, W.Va.; and Steven D. Blankenship, 32, of Virginia Beach, Va., were changed with illegal assembly of chemicals for manufacture of drugs, a third-degree felony. Other charges are possible pending the ongoing investigation, patrol officials said.

Brick, Scaggs and Blankenship were taken to the Jackson County Correctional Facility and Chapman was incarcerated in the Ross County jail. If convicted, Chapman, Scaggs and Blankenship could face up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Brick is facing up to one year in prison and a $2,500 fine.