Police seize heroin, meth, paraphernalia and counterfeit cash
An alert citizen called police after observing an apparent drug overdose in downtown Price last week, leading to three arrests and the seizure of more than 26 grams of heroin, counterfeit U.S. currency and an assortment of other drugs and paraphernalia.
On May 27 around 4 p.m., the citizen called police dispatch after observing a man slumped behind the steering wheel of a parked car.
The caller then allegedly saw a woman enter the vehicle inject a needle into her arm, while simultaneously trying to revive the man.
While on the phone with Price City Police the caller watched the man wake up and drive away with two female passengers.
Deputy Tony Christiansen of the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office performed a traffic stop on the vehicle. Tyler Cressall of Price City Police arrived on the scene to conduct an investigation assisted by other deputies and officers.
Potential medical issues were addressed at the scene because of the alleged drug use.
Further inquiries revealed the male driver had taken over car payments because the owner was in prison for parole violations. Furthermore the vehicle was not currently insured or properly registered.
Police impounded the car and took inventory of its contents.
More than 26 grams of heroin, a little over a gram of methamphetamine, various prescription pills, counterfeit money and assorted paraphernalia were seized, allegedly implicating all three suspects.
They were arrested and booked into the Carbon County Jail. Reese Gordon Laws, 36, of Blanding, was arrested for felony distribution of heroin and misdemeanor charges of possession of methamphetamine and paraphernalia.
Vanessa Alicia Montana, 23, of Blanding was arrested for misdemeanor charges of possession of heroin, methamphetamine, prescription pills and paraphernalia.
Michelle Lynn Holley, 38, of Price was arrested for misdemeanor charges of possession of heroin, methamphetamine and paraphernalia. The Carbon County Attorney’s Office will review the police report to determine possible additional charges.
“According to court records Mr. Laws has two previous arrests for drugs. Ms. Montana has one previous arrest involving aggravated assault and unlawful detention, for which she entered a plea of abeyance agreement with 7th District Court in May of 2016. Ms. Holley has 13 previous arrests for drug offenses, false information, forgery, burglary and theft,” according to a statement released by Price City Police.
All three defendants had been released from custody by Monday. Bond amounts for the three amounted to $4,300 for Laws’ release, $3,400 for Montana and $200 cash for Holley.