Local News

Man arrested for cocaine possession 

By BOB MARTIN 

Eagle Times Staff 

SPRINGFIELD, Vt. — A Springfield man was arrested for possession of cocaine on New Year’s Day after officers observed him leaving a “known drug residence.” 

According to a report by the Springfield Police Department, Michael Myers, 33, was arrested and charged with possession of cocaine. On Jan. 1 at 12:55 p.m., officers were patrolling in the area of a known drug house on Spring Street. Myers was seen leaving the residence on foot, and an officer conducted a “consensual encounter” that led to the discovery that Myers had cocaine on him. 

Chief Jeff Burnham explained that a “consensual encounter” is “basically contact by police and another person that is not a lawful detention.” 

“If they said, ‘I don’t want to talk to you right now,’ and kept walking, there is literally nothing we can do,” Burnham said. “As opposed to a car stop, I can investigate whatever motor vehicle violation and whether or not there is a ticket.” 

Burnham added,” This is where there is no pre-text to the stop other than the context they are in, like a drug house or known issue.” 

Myers was subsequently arrested and taken to the Springfield Police Department to be processed. It was later found that he was prohibited from being in possession of any controlled substance due to an active set of conditions. 

Myers was issued a citation to appear in the Vermont Superior Court, Criminal Division, Windsor Unit, on Jan. 2 at 12:30 p.m., to answer for the alleged crimes of Possession of Cocaine and Violation of Conditions of Release.   

Myers was previously arrested on Oct. 7 for allegedly possessing cocaine, as well as for an active in-state warrant. A report by the Springfield Police Department shows that Myers was pulled over on Olive Street without a front license plate, and when officers saw him, they noticed that the passenger had a warrant for her arrest.  

When police pulled the car over, officers found that Myers also had a warrant. After arresting both parties, an investigation found that there was suspected cocaine and drug paraphernalia in the vehicle. He appeared in the Vermont Superior Court, Criminal Division, Windsor Unit in Woodstock on Dec. 3 at 8:30 a.m. to answer to the alleged charge of cocaine possession. 

On Oct. 18, Myers was arrested for allegedly violating the terms and conditions of his furlough, with the Springfield Police Department listing the charge as “escape.” He appeared in court on Dec. 17 to face the charge.