Woman arrested by Boardman police tells them she needs help for drug problem

Staff report

BOARDMAN

A woman who township police arrested on drug charges told officers she “needed” to get arrested so she can get help for her drug addiction, according to a police report.

Police were called to a Tiffany South hotel Monday morning to check on a person who was seen slumped over the wheel of a car. The woman, Melissa Chester, 33, of New Middletown, woke up when police arrived and allowed them to search her, police said.

Police reported finding a vial of suspected crack cocaine in her pocket. Police said Chester told officers, “Oh... that’s my crack. I forgot it was in there.”

Police then searched the vehicle, in which they reported finding suspected heroin and a kit containing a needle, a suspected crack pipe, a burnt spoon and a shoe lace. Police also reported finding a vial containing pieces of cotton.

Police also searched a room at the hotel, where they reported finding needles, a burnt spoon and suspected heroin. Chester told police those items belonged to her, according to the report.

Chester was arrested on charges of possession of cocaine, possession of heroin, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of drug-abuse instruments.

According to police, Chester told officers she has a serious drug problem.

“I needed this today. I really needed to get arrested,” she said, according to police. “I’m about at my end. I can’t keep living like this every day. I need help.”

Mahoning County court records indicate that Chester has been convicted twice of possession of heroin. She was sentenced in 2014 to a community control sentence, and in March 2016 to a 12-month prison sentence.