Columbus Man Charged After Hocking County Deputies Find 10 Firearms, Drugs, and Cash During Traffic Stop
HOCKING COUNTY, Ohio — A Columbus man is facing multiple felony charges after Hocking County deputies allegedly found firearms, suspected drugs and more than $12,000 in cash during a traffic stop Monday.
According to the Hocking County Sheriff's Office, deputies stopped a vehicle on U.S. Route 33 on July 20 for multiple traffic violations.
Sheriff Lanny E. North said deputies identified the driver as Michael Holbrook, 41, of Columbus. Holbrook was traveling with his girlfriend and two teenage children.
While speaking with Holbrook, deputies reported seeing drug paraphernalia in plain view inside the vehicle. That observation led deputies to conduct a probable cause search.
During the search, investigators said they recovered 10 firearms, including two that had been reported stolen, suspected methamphetamine, suspected crack cocaine, drug paraphernalia, more than $12,000 in cash, and other evidence related to the investigation.
Holbrook, who authorities say is currently on parole, was arrested and charged with:
Having Weapons While Under Disability, a third-degree felony
Receiving Stolen Property, a fourth-degree felony
Trafficking in Drugs, a fourth-degree felony
Endangering Children, a first-degree misdemeanor
He was transported to the Southeastern Ohio Regional Jail.
During his initial appearance in Hocking County Municipal Court, Judge Frederick T. Moses set Holbrook's bond at $40,000 cash or surety.
The investigation remains ongoing. The case will be forwarded to the Hocking County Prosecutor's Office for review and presentation to a Hocking County grand jury.
As with all criminal cases, the charges are allegations, and Holbrook is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
