Man overdoses after fleeing from checkpoint

Two individuals were arrested on drug charges last week including a Preston man who overdosed on the scene and is out on bond on federal drug charges.

The Preston man, John “Nooky” Howard Gale, 43, of Valley Road, was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance, according to Sheriff Eric Clark.

Heather Renee Russey, 36, 118 Valley Road, Preston, was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of paraphernalia, disorderly conduct and public profanity, according to Clark. He also noted that Russey had a warrant for failure to appear in court.

Clark said the two were arrested while deputies were operating a safety checkpoint in the extreme northeast corner of Neshoba County on Highway 21 near the intersection of Road 789 at about 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 17.

At the time the deputies stopped a vehicle being driven by Gale. Deputies had observed the vehicle, traveling south on Highway 21, come to a stop before the checkpoint. They saw Gale exit the vehicle and throw something on the road before proceeding to the checkpoint.

Deputies reported the strong smell of marijuana coming from the vehicle as well as a green, leafy substance in Gale’s lap and several empty baggies believed to have contained drugs in the center console.

While talking to Gale, deputies noticed he was chewing something after putting his hand to his mouth. Gale then spit a white powdery substance on the deputies. The substance is believed to have been methamphetamine.

Soon after, Gale began gasping for air. Deputies believed he was possibly overdosing and administered Narcan. Gale was transported to Neshoba General before being taken into custody at the Nehsoba County Detention Center.

Clark said deputies retrieved drugs from the center of the road where Gale had been seen tossing a bag out of the car.

Clark said many of his deputies, including those at this traffic stop, had recently attended a training course for the use of Narcan in the field.

“This is evidence of our training paying off,” Clark said.

Clark said Gale was out on bond on federal drug trafficking charges related to an arrest on March 2, on County Road 773 in which he was arrested for allegedly trafficking drugs on the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians Reservation.