HOCKING COUNTY, Ohio — A Nelsonville man was arrested following a car chase and drug seizure by Hocking County Sheriff’s Interdiction Unit Detectives on Wednesday, February 22. According to reports, the detectives attempted to stop a vehicle for a traffic violation on State Route 278 near Carbon Hill, but the driver fled at high speed, leading the officers to pursue the car. The vehicle eventually pulled into a driveway, and the driver, identified as Eric M. Lockhart, 40, fled into a building on the property.
Detectives surrounded the building and issued verbal commands for Lockhart to surrender, which he did a short time later, officials said. After detaining the suspect, detectives found out that he had an active warrant for a felony probation violation and was under parole supervision for a previous conviction of drug trafficking.
With the property owner’s consent, the detectives searched the building and found approximately 45 grams of suspected methamphetamine, approximately 15 grams of suspected fentanyl, various prescription medications, digital scales, baggies, Lockhart’s cell phone, and $776.00 in US Currency. The suspected narcotics were seized and submitted to the Ohio BCI Crime Lab for testing.
Lockhart was arrested for his outstanding warrant and transported to the Southeastern Ohio Regional Jail. The case will be presented to a Hocking County Grand Jury for indictment once the results of the drug testing come back.
