Authorities nab suspected drug trafficker

A Logandale man appeared Thursday in Justice Court on numerous drug charges including trafficking.

Chase Raymond Doty, 27, was arrested Feb. 13 on West Williams Avenue after authorities allegedly discovered between 4-14 grams of MDMA (ecstasy) in addition to heroin, methamphetamine and anabolic steroids.

In all, Doty faces nine felony counts including a Class A felony for trafficking in a controlled substance, 4-14 grams, for the MDMA.

According to North Central Narcotics Task Force Sgt. Orlando Guerrero, authorities received a call from a concerned driver alerting law enforcement of an erratic driver between Hawthorne and Fallon.

Guerrero said Doty was suspected of erratic driving including traveling in the wrong lane while heading toward Fallon en route to Reno.

Once in Fallon, police pulled over Doty for careless driving within city limits and believed him to be driving under the influence of a controlled substance, according to FPD Capt. Vern Ulrich. Ulrich said Doty started to act suspicious and the officer called the task force and the Churchill County Sheriff’s Office to assist with a search.

Guerrero said a field interview was conducted along with a “free-air sniff” by the SO’s K-9 unit, which reportedly discovered the presence of drugs.

Upon a probable cause search, Guerrero said authorities found 9 grams of MDMA, “lots” of drug paraphernalia used for meth, heroin and liquid steroids.

Once in custody at the Churchill County Jail, Guerreo said sheriff’s deputies found heroin on Doty.

His charges include four counts of possession of a controlled substance, three counts of commission of an unauthorized act relating to a controlled substance and one count each of trafficking in a controlled substance and being under the influence of a controlled substance (meth).

He was also charged with three misdemeanors, although the court entered not guilty pleas to those counts while the felony case is ongoing.

In court, Doty asked to be released on his own recognizance, but Churchill County Michael Winn objected.

“He doesn’t have a significant criminal history, but he hit the jackpot on this one,” Winn said.

Doty’s bond, though, was lowered from $84,920 to $25,000.

Doty said he will attempt to hire an attorney and was not appointed a public defender.

He is scheduled to appear in Justice Court for a status hearing on Thursday if he retains an attorney. If not, Doty will appear Wednesday and perhaps be appointed counsel.

Logandale is about 410 miles southeast of Fallon near Overton.

In other court news —

Joseph Vidra, 18, of Fallon appeared Thursday in Justice Court on a kidnapping charge.

According to the criminal complaint, Vidra allegedly held Ashley Workman in a green Honda with the intent to commit substantial bodily harm. He is also charged with one count of battery constituting domestic violence and will appear for a status hearing on Thursday.

His bond was lowered from $53,140 to $20,000, cash only.