Centralia police arrested a suspect Monday after staff at the Red Roof PLUS+ hotel found a bag of suspected cocaine in the lobby. Police later found suspected cocaine, methamphetamine and MDMA inside the man’s truck, according to prosecutors.
The suspect, Jeremy A. Sturdevant, 44, of Chehalis, is charged with two Class B felony counts of possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance, and one Class C felony count of possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance.
Sturdevant is also charged with a dangerous weapon violation, a gross misdemeanor. He made a preliminary appearance in Lewis County Superior Court on Tuesday.
Chief Deputy Prosecutor William Halstead requested a bail of $250,000 cash or bond, noting Sturdevant’s three prior felony convictions for manufacturing, delivering and using a building for drug purposes. Halstead said the convictions occurred in 2009.
According to Halstead, Sturdevant was released from prison in 2012.
Halstead said Sturdevant also has a second-degree burglary conviction from 2009. According to the prosecutor, Sturdevant has been issued 19 warrants for his arrest in past cases.
Defense attorney Rachael Tiller said bail would be difficult for Sturdevant, who did not have an income. Tiller said Sturdevant’s wife receives financial assistance.
Tiller requested a bail of no more than $10,000, noting the superior court cases mentioned by Halstead were at least 17 years old. She said Sturdevant’s address is local.
The attorney said Sturdevant had also informed her of medical concerns.
“He has been seen by staff, but there is a medication that he does need to take, at least within the next 24 hours. And he still has not received that,” Tiller said.
Judge Paul Strophy said Sturdevant posed a risk to community safety, based on the allegations and the “potential violent consequences that delivering drugs can cause to the community.”
Strophy also noted concern with Sturdevant’s warrant history and acknowledged Sturdevant’s financial situation.
The judge set bail at $100,000 cash or bond, which he said should be sufficient to ensure the defendant complies with the court’s orders and returns to court.
According to a probable cause affidavit, a Centralia police sergeant arrived at the hotel on Monday and looked at the bag found by staff. Prosecutors described the bag as sandwich-sized with a white powdery substance inside.
The bag also reportedly contained a small “drug baggie” embossed with the words “The Plug.”
The sergeant reviewed security footage and watched the bag fall to the floor as a man walked into the lobby. The sergeant recognized the suspect as Sturdevant from previous investigations.
The sergeant found Sturdevant sitting in a red Ford truck in the hotel parking lot. Sturdevant allegedly admitted to having cocaine in the hotel. The sergeant said he believed the bag contained more than a user amount.
Police executed a search warrant on the truck, reportedly finding suspected methamphetamine, cocaine and MDMA, along with glass smoking devices, digital scales and a black spring-loaded knife. They also found another baggie labelled with “The Plug” and a bag of baking soda police believe was used as a “cutting agent.”
According to the affidavit, the total confiscated amount of suspected cocaine — including the bag found in the lobby — weighed 58.3 grams, while the total amount of suspected methamphetamine weighed 30.2 grams.
Sturdevant is scheduled for an arraignment on Thursday.
