A Mountain Home man, 26-year-old Phillip Laurie, who was allegedly operating a children’s ride at the Baxter County Fair in exchange for drugs, is facing multiple charges. After spending a few days on the run, Laurie was booked into the Baxter County Detention Center Thursday on a felony count of possession of a Schedule II controlled substance (fentanyl) and misdemeanor counts of possession of drug paraphernalia and fleeing. He is currently free after posting a bond of $1,500.
According to the arrest affidavit, a Baxter County Sheriff’s Office deputy working at the county fair last weekend was approached by a patron concerning Laurie after it was alleged he was exchanging rides for drugs. The deputy and Archway Amusement manager Teresa Noerper approached him and when asked if he was in possession of drugs, Laurie said he was in possession of weed. He was asked to empty his pockets, and he was discovered to have a blue bag containing two syringes, nine used fentanyl transdermal patches, two spoons with what appeared to be drug residue and an orange prescription bottle containing an unknown liquid. Laurie was also carrying a bottle of lemon juice commonly used to extract the remaining fentanyl from used transdermal patches which can then be ingested orally or injected intravenously.
Laurie handed the deputy the blue bag, but then turned and fled on foot. Deputies gave chase, but were unable to apprehend him. He was arrested by the Mountain Home Police Department at a private residence and booked into the detention center Thursday evening. He posted bond nearly an hour later.
Laurie is scheduled to appear in Baxter County Circuit Court.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI