On December 12, 2018, Sergeant Jordan Turner of the Independence County Sheriff’s Department was out with other deputies at the Exxon Tiger Mart on Ramsey Mountain.
According to reports, Derek Hill, 31, of Batesville had been taken into custody for probation and parole violation. Hill asked Sgt. Turner to turn off the headlights of his vehicle so the battery would not die. While doing this Turner noticed the cap from a hypodermic syringe. This prompted Sgt. Turner to ask Hill if anything illegal was in the vehicle.
Hill told Sgt. Turner there was ‘dope’ in the vehicle in a jacket pocket. Sgt. Turner found a cigarette package which contained a plastic baggie containing a crystalline substance which tested positive as methamphetamine and white paper rolled up containing a green, leafy substance that was later found to be marijuana, per a report from the Independence County Sheriff’s Department.
Possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) is a class ‘D’ felony. Possession of a controlled substance (marijuana) is a class ‘A’ misdemeanor
Hill has been previously convicted of two felonies. Sheriff Shawn Stevens is asking that Hill also be charged as a habitual offender. Charges have been filed with Independence County Circuit Court.
Hill was placed on a $10,000 bond and is being held in the Independence County Jail awaiting appearance in circuit court.
