Man arrested in Highland County Common Pleas Court after testing positive for opiates

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A man was arrested Wednesday in Highland County Common Pleas Court after testing positive for opiates during a recess in proceedings, and, in a separate incident, what was apparently a capsule of heroin was found near the entryway to the county prosecutor’s office, apparently dropped by someone who had been standing in the vicinity.

Bret Ledford, 36, Clarksville, was arrested in court after testing positive for opiates during a recess in his final pre-trial hearing. Ledford was originally indicted on drug possession charges, according to court records.

Ledford appeared to be sweating and almost falling asleep throughout proceedings, and at the beginning of the hearing, judge Rocky Coss asked Ledford if he was feeling alright, since “you were looking like you were about ready to fall asleep back there.”

Ledford said he was feeling fine, and when Coss asked him if he would test positive for any drugs, Ledford said he wouldn’t.

Coss ordered a recess, during which Ledford produced a urine sample that tested positive for opiates.

“I knew you were having some issue when I was watching you, so I’m not surprised by the result,” Coss said when proceedings resumed, adding that the results indicated Ledford had taken some type of opiate just before proceedings began.

“I think you have a serious problem, Mr. Ledford,” Coss said.

Coss ordered Ledford be taken into custody for his own safety until his next hearing, which is set for July 12 at 9 a.m.

During the recess, a detective with the Highland County Sheriff’s Office responded to the courthouse after assistant prosecutor Molly Bolek said she found what is believed to be a capsule of heroin outside the entryway to the prosecutor’s office in the courthouse.

The detective told The Times-Gazette he had a suspect, and the matter is still under investigation.

Also Wednesday, Timothy Collins, 55, Cynthiana, was arrested in court Wednesday after it was found he failed to check in with the probation department on several occasions during pre-trial supervision.

Collins pled guilty having a weapon under disability, a third-degree felony. He will be sentenced at a later date.

Reach David Wright at 937-402-2570, or on Twitter @DavidWrighter.

Bret Ledford, right, sits in court Wednesday with defense attorney Richard Furnish.
http://www.timesgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2017/06/web1_bretledford.jpgBret Ledford, right, sits in court Wednesday with defense attorney Richard Furnish. David Wright | The Times-Gazette
Possible heroin capsule dropped at entryway

By David Wright

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