ELKINS, W.Va. – A suspicious vehicle report in Randolph County resulted in the arrest of an overdose victim and the discovery of multiple weapons and drugs.
Deputies from the Randolph County Sheriff’s Department were called to Point Mountain Road and found Joseph Shipman, 35, slumped over the wheel near the entrance to the power plant.
Deputies noted the vehicle had an improper registration and an expired inspection sticker.
When flashing headlights and a flashlight did not wake Shipman up, they began to look inside the vehicle for anything dangerous.
In the vehicle, deputies observed a hatchet, knives, a pistol under Shipman’s leg, a holster with an additional magazine and ammunition, used needles, and a backpack. Deputies also recovered another pistol that was later determined to be an air pistol.
Deputies were able to remove most of the items and the keys from the vehicle without waking Shipman up.
When Shipman did wake up, he told deputies he was not using drugs despite not being able to keep his eyes open during the interview.
Shipman has been charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance, an open container, an expired motor vehicle inspection sticker, no insurance, improper registration, and being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm.
Shipman is being held in the Tygart Valley Regional Jail.