ELKINS, W.Va. – Two men were arrested in Elkins Sunday after troopers said they recovered cocaine and a loaded firearm during a routine traffic stop.
West Virginia State Police troopers were conducting a routine patrol on Sunday, June 2 on 11th Street in Elkins when they observed a gray Jeep with an expired registration, according to the complaint. Troopers then performed a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, Wesley Dodson-Shahan, 22, of Mill Creek, and passenger Zeb Young, 24, according to the complaint.
Troopers asked Dodson-Shahan for his driver’s license and registration, to which he supplied a Virginia license and vehicle registration, according to the complaint. When the trooper returned to the vehicle, he asked Dodson-Shahan if he had anything illegal inside, to which Dodson-Shahan replied there was not, according to the complaint.
Officers from the Elkins Police Department arrived on scene to assist the troopers in a search of Dodson-Shahan’s vehicle, according to the complaint. When troopers and officers searched the vehicle, they found a large quantity of a white substance, digital scales, multiple small clear plastic bags and a loaded 9mm handgun in the floor board behind the passenger seat, according to the complaint.
Troopers asked what the white substance was, and he said it was cocaine, according to the complaint. The trooper also asked Young if he was aware of the contents of the vehicle, and he confirmed he was aware, according to the complaint.
The trooper placed Dodson-Shahan and Young under arrest, according to the complaint. A search of Dodson-Shahan’s criminal history showed he had a previous conviction for domestic violence in North Dakota, according to the complaint.
Dodson-Shahan is charged with possession with intent to deliver and being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm. Young is charged with possession with intent to deliver. Both are being held in Tygart Valley Regional Jail.
