Trish Bennett, Editor
CIRCLEVILLE – A 20-year-old serving probation for a misdemeanor drug charge is now facing possible felony charges after a random home visit Thursday by the Circleville Probation Department.
Chad C. Grabill, 20, of 342 E. Ohio St., was arrested about 10:15 p.m. Thursday by probation officers with assistance from the Circleville Police Department and Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office.
Jason McGowan, chief probation officer, said a search of the home revealed a loaded firearm and about $600 in cash, along with 3.7 grams of heroin, a few unidentified prescription pills, a small amount of marijuana, several digital scales and a number of drug paraphernalia items including syringes and marijuana pipes.
He is being held on a violation of probation, and the additional charges will be presented in an upcoming session of the Pickaway County Grand Jury.
“Higher-risk offenders in the Intensive Supervision Program require a certain number of home visits be conducted,” McGowan said. “They can go from just verifying address compliance to talking with family members to see if they’re doing what they’re supposed to be doing to a complete search if we feel they’re violating.”
McGowan said Thursday’s search was the result of information obtained by Grabill’s probation officer, John Messick, that a violation had taken place.
“We received information about him possibly trafficking drugs, so we made it a priority to get over there and investigate it,” McGowan said.
Grabill’s girlfriend and grandmother also were in the home at the time of the arrest, McGowan said. No charges will be filed against the grandmother, and any possible charges against the girlfriend would be handled by the Circleville Police Department.
This article originally appeared on The Pickaway News Journal
