Illegal u-turn leads to drug bust

Nov 19,2007 00:00 by Cheryl McDermott

A 21-year old Madras driver who made an illegal u-turn in front of a sheriff’s deputy north of Redmond Saturday afternoon was ultimately arrested and charged with five drug offenses, authorities reported.

Richard A. Faubion (left) and Vernon Leroy Middleton (right) - DCJ photos

Richard A. Faubion was stopped by a Deschutes County Sheriff’s deputy at NW Pershall Way and Highway 97 in north Redmond, Oregon shortly before 4 p.m., November 17, Sgt. Ron Dozier and Deputy Ron Brown said.

When the deputy developed probable cause during the stop to believe a large amount of marijuana was in the Mitsubishi Eclipse, a search of the vehicle turned up about four ounces of marijuana and 7.6 ounces of methamphetamine, a news release stated.

Faubion was taken into custody and faces charges of possession, manufacture, and delivery of mariuana; plus possession and delivery of meth. He was lodged in the Deschutes County Jail in lieu of $65,000 bail, the deputies said.

Faubion’s passenger was also arrested, the news release stated. Vernon Leroy Middleton, a 19-year-old Culver resident, is being held without bail for violation of probation and will also face a new charge of identity theft.

The investigation is continuing.