Local News

High-speed chase results in arrests, confiscation of THC-infused ‘snacks’

EAST PALESTINE -- A Trumbull County woman was having a snack attack of sorts when she led city police on a a brief but high-speed pursuit Friday night, resulting in felony charges.

Cassidy M. Francis, 22, of Warren was charged at 9:34 p.m. Friday in the 700 block of North Market Street with felonious assault, a first-degree felony; failure to comply with the order of a police officer, a fourth-degree felony; resisting arrest; drug paraphernalia; and a variety of unspecified traffic offenses.

According to city Police Chief James C. Brown III, officers attempted to take Francis, and her passenger L.C. DeShawn Harvey, into custody on several outstanding warrants before she initiated the pursuit.

After nearly striking an undercover patrol car while traveling in reverse, Francis allegedly attempted to run over another officer in her effort to escape.

The pursuit concluded when she lost control of her vehicle, striking a telephone police and resulting in a rollover crash on N. Market Street.

Brown said officers recovered more than 2,000 grams of THC edibles packaged in 52 bags that are designed to resemble a variety of brand name chips, cookies and candy.

According to other media reports, Montgomery County and its Community Overdose Action Team (C.O.A.T.) had sounded the alarm regarding THC-infused edibles that are being made to look like popular snacks two months ago. At that time, they said the products may not have undergone state regulatory guidelines for food quality and safety, warning that ingestion could lead to either illness or overdose. County coroner Dr. Kent Harshbarger also warned that the target audience is youth, who may "have trouble discerning the difference between THC-infused edibles and actual food" -- especially due to the recognition of familiar packaging but possessing limited reading skills.

THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the psychoactive compound of cannabis.

Drug paraphernalia and other narcotics, which have been forwarded to the crime lab for testing, also were recovered and may result in additional charges depending on results.

Francis was driving a vehicle owned by Jeremy Lee Kale also of Warren.

There were no injuries as a result of the crash.

In addition to the charges filed against Francis, Harvey, of Warren, was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia.

The case remains under investigation.

Francis faces more than 12 years in prison and fines exceeding $25,000 if convicted of these original charges.

"I commend the officers for the work in this car. Serving arrest warrants and taking illegal drugs off the street is a vital part of keeping our communities safe," Police Chief Brown said. He praised the New Waterford Police Department and Columbiana County Sheriff's Office for assistance in the case.