Police were called for a welfare check when a male and female were reported passed out in a black truck at the McDonald’s on Asheville Highway.
Both suspects, Justin Reece of Morristown, and Sarah Stapleton of Whitesburg, were asleep when officers made contact. Reece woke up and was reportedly slurring his speech and struggling to stay awake. After performing poorly on field sobriety tests, Reece was taken into custody for DUI. A check showed his license was suspended and the truck had no insurance. A search of the vehicle found several gabapentin and Xanax pills, and Reece was additionally charged with Possession of Schedule Three and Schedule Five Drug Violations.
While searching, a black bag was found that belonged to Stapleton, reportedly with a clear container having a substance believed to be heroin and a gabapentin pill. A cut straw and baggie with residue was also found in the bag. Another clear container was found to contain several gabapentin and Xanax pills. Stapleton was transported to the Detention Center as well, and charged with unlawful drug paraphernalia and Schedule one, Three, and Five Drug violations.
