(This story was first published in the Brattleboro Reformer on Feb. 26, 2018.)
[B]RATTLEBORO — Three local residents arrested for drug possession after an early morning high-speed chase on I-91 were then charged with drug trafficking after a search of their motel room.
At about 1 a.m. on Saturday, a Vermont State Police trooper observed a vehicle speeding on Putney Road in Brattleboro. The trooper followed the vehicle onto Interstate 91 at Exit 3, where the vehicle continued to speed, failed to use its turn signal and failed to maintain its lane while traveling southbound.
The vehicle increased its speed to approximately to 100 miles per hour, then made a U-turn and began traveling northbound but came to a stop.
A search of the vehicle yielded approximately five ounces of cocaine. Benzodiazepine also was found.
The operator of the car, Treston Jordan, 19, of Townshend, was charged with possession of cocaine, possession of a controlled substance, grossly negligent operation and excessive speed. The two occupants, Ashley Hier, 26, of Vernon, and Joseph Wright, 20, of Townshend, were charged with possession of cocaine, and possession of a controlled substance. They were to be arraigned today in Windham Superior Court, Criminal Division.
All three occupants were transferred to Southern State Correctional Facility and held on bail ordered by Judge Katherine Hayes. After the occupants were transported to the prison, members of the Vermont State Police developed reason to believe that the hotel room the subjects were occupying had more cocaine inside it.
Later in the day, a search warrant was drafted and executed at the Motel 6 in Brattleboro. Six more ounces of cocaine, along with evidence indicating intent to distribute, were discovered. The evidence was seized and the subjects were additionally cited with trafficking of cocaine.
