Multiple officers, nurse treated for fentanyl exposure after AR traffic stop
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — While conducting a traffic stop last week, multiple Blytheville Police officers were exposed to fentanyl and had to be treated for possible overdoses, according to the police department.
On May 17, officers patrolling the area of East Moultrie initiated a traffic stop on a white GMC Yukon that had allegedly pulled out in front of the officer.
Travis Leachman, 35, and Brittany Deason, 27, were inside of the vehicle.
Reports say officers could smell marijuana in the vehicle, causing them to remove Leachman and Deason from the car.
When searching Leachman, officers located a clear container with small baggies of a crystal-like substance, believed to be methamphetamine, and a small bag containing what police believe to be marijuana hidden in his sock.
Teenage brothers show up on police radar as young as 11 years old
In the car, officers found a bag of what was suspected to be marijuana and four small blue fentanyl pills. They also found five yellow pills identified as Clonazepam, and another bag of approximately 50 blue pills, also believed to be fentanyl.
Leachman and Deason were taken into custody and charged with the drugs.
Reports say, that while officers were on their way to the Mississippi County Sheriff’s Office with the suspects, the officer called dispatch and advised them he was not feeling well and was pulling over.
Other Blytheville Police officers responded to the area and found the officer on the ground unconscious and allegedly suffering from the effects of fentanyl.
The officer was transported by the responding officers to Great River Medical Center. While at the medical center, the other officers began to show signs of fentanyl exposure and lost consciousness.
MPD was pursuing car in parking lot before crash at Poplar Plaza
Additional officers who had aided those in direct contact with the initial unconscious officer also began showing signs of an overdose.
“While myself and two other officers were trying to get the affected officer’s gear off, both the two officers that were with me were also exposed,” said Captain Jeremy Ward.
An hour later, a nurse who had been treating the initial officer also showed signs of a fentanyl overdose and had to be treated.
A total of five people were treated for potential fentanyl exposure. Captain Ward says the chain of events began when one of the officers touched a pill without gloves.
“It’s pretty scary to know that there’s something that such a small amount can have such a devastating effect on a person. Very dangerous,” said Ward.
He says fentanyl has become more prevalent all throughout Mississippi County, and the department has taken extra precautions since the incident to keep officers safe.
“If you find strange substances on the ground, don’t touch them. Encourage your kids not to pick up things that they find laying on the ground,” he said. “It may not be intentionally laced or anything, but it could have come in contact with some of this stuff.”
Leachman and Deason were transported to the Mississippi County Sheriff’s Office by another officer. They are each being held on a $1 million bond.
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
