A Chillicothe man is facing multiple felony charges after police executed a search warrant at a Hirn Street residence and allegedly discovered large quantities of suspected narcotics, firearms, and cash.
According to a report from the Chillicothe Police Department, officers served a search warrant at 186 Hirn Street on June 19 as part of a drug trafficking investigation involving 62-year-old Karl Dean Ponder, also known as “Deno.”
Upon entering the residence, officers encountered Ponder along with other individuals who were detained while the search warrant was executed.
During the search, investigators reported locating approximately 120 grams of suspected fentanyl, approximately 15 grams of suspected methamphetamine, a digital scale, approximately $650 in cash, and two firearms. The firearms included a loaded KSA .22 caliber rifle and a loaded Chiappa 12-gauge shotgun.
According to the report, suspected narcotics were recovered from multiple locations throughout the residence. The substances were field tested and later submitted to the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation laboratory for chemical analysis and official weight determination.
Investigators also noted that Ponder has prior felony drug convictions, including convictions for possession of cocaine and aggravated possession of drugs. As a result of those convictions, he is prohibited from possessing firearms under Ohio law.
Ponder was arrested and charged with three counts of Having Weapons While Under Disability, two counts of Possession of Drugs, one count of Trafficking in Drugs, and one count of Drug Paraphernalia.
Authorities indicated that additional charges may be possible pending the results of laboratory testing.
The investigation remains ongoing.
All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Innocent until proven guilty? Why were they put in jail before seeing a judge? That never made sense to me.