CHILLICOTHE, Ohio – A routine traffic stop on July 7th led to the alleged discovery of drugs and drug paraphernalia, resulting in an ongoing investigation involving a local man and his passenger.
The incident began when authorities initiated a traffic stop on a Silver Chevy truck near the intersection of E 5th and S Mulberry Street after the driver allegedly failed to signal a left turn. The driver was identified as 45-year-old Shaun C. Adkins, and the passenger as 30-year-old Arian L. Federici.
According to the police report, the stop followed a surveillance operation in a high-drug activity area on July 6th. Officers allegedly observed the Chevy truck in an alley between Mechanic and S Paint Street, where a short, skinny African American male allegedly approached the driver’s side. Authorities claim this observation led them to suspect a possible drug transaction, prompting them to follow the vehicle until it reportedly failed to signal a turn, leading to the stop.
During the stop, authorities allegedly noticed signs of nervousness in Adkins, including shaking hands, stuttering, and avoiding eye contact. Reportedly observing multiple cut cigarette ends in the vehicle, which officers said is commonly used to filter narcotics, the officers allegedly asked Federici to exit the truck. According to the report, a clear-knotted baggie with white residue was allegedly found under her seat.
Both Adkins and Federici the officer said provided conflicting stories about their whereabouts and destination. Given the suspicious circumstances, authorities allegedly conducted a probable cause search of the vehicle. Allegedly, the search revealed multiple hypodermic needles, small empty baggies, burnt aluminum foil, a spoon with melted residue, and burnt glass pipes. Additionally, allegedly, a wrapper containing a white powdery substance, suspected to be Fentanyl, was found.
Federici allegedly admitted that they had been in the alley where the suspected drug transaction occurred.
Both Adkins and Federici were advised of their Miranda Rights and subsequently released pending lab results. Allegedly, Adkins received a verbal warning for the traffic violation. The case remains under investigation, with potential future indictments allegedly pending the results of the substance analysis.