A 35-year-old Salem man is being held in the Marion County Jail on multiple drug charges after acting suspiciously around Sheriff Kevin Cripps outside the Salem Walmart store Monday morning.
Lloyd Jay Finley of Spruce Street was eventually arrested for possession with intent to deliver 15 to 100 grams of methamphetamine, possession of the meth, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, and possession of the substance identified as fentanyl.
The sheriff says Finley appeared to be hiding his face when the two passed at the entrance of the store as Cripps was leaving with candy he had purchased for Monday’s Kinmundy Labor Day parade. Cripps continued to watch Finley from a distance and approached him again as he began walking briskly away from him towards the pickup area. After the sheriff saw he had a baggie in his hand, he ordered Finley to stop. Finley then allegedly attempted to throw the baggie under a car.
Cripps said the baggie contained what field tested as 30 grams of meth. 20 beans of what tested positive for fentanyl and a so far undetermined third substance were also recovered in his possession.
Finley was taken to the Marion County Jail to await a decision on formal charges.
