Chillicothe Man Arrested After Traffic Stop Leads to Drug Investigation, Police Say

CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — A Chillicothe man was arrested early Wednesday morning after police say a traffic stop led to the discovery of suspected drugs and drug paraphernalia inside his vehicle.

According to the Chillicothe Police Department report, officers conducted a traffic stop around 1:21 a.m. July 15, near East Second Street and North Rose Street, after a license plate check showed the registered owner of a vehicle had an OVI-related license suspension.

Police said the driver was identified as Hoyt Reynolds and was taken into custody for allegedly operating a vehicle while under an OVI suspension, a first-degree misdemeanor.

During an inventory search of the vehicle before it was towed, officers reported finding suspected drug-related items, including a clear plastic bag containing a crystal-like substance believed to be methamphetamine, multiple small plastic baggies, glass pipes, and a digital scale.

Police also reported finding a separate bag containing a white powdery substance and additional drug-related items.

According to the report, Reynolds allegedly told officers the suspected methamphetamine belonged to him and said he had the items in the vehicle because he was in the process of moving.

Officers reported finding $1,980 in cash on Reynolds during a search following his arrest. Police said the money was seized as evidence.

The vehicle was towed from the scene, and the suspected narcotics will be submitted to the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation for laboratory testing. Additional charges could be filed depending on the results.

Reynolds was transported to the Ross County Jail and was charged with driving under OVI suspension and drug paraphernalia.

All charges are allegations, and the case will proceed through the court system.