4 people charged after drugs seized at Marion County DUI checkpoint

FAIRMONT, W.Va. (WBOY) — At least four people were charged after troopers found drugs during a DUI checkpoint stop in Marion County over the weekend.

During the scheduled DUI checkpoint on July 12 in Fairmont , troopers with the Marion County detachment of the West Virginia State Police stopped a vehicle with multiple people inside, according to a criminal complaint.

The driver, who troopers identified as George Powers, 45, of Clarksburg, was “acting extremely nervous, shaking profusely and would not make eye contact,” troopers said.

A K-9 who was deployed gave a positive indication for the presence of narcotics, according to the complaint. During that time, a woman in the back seat, identified as Tristi Crites, 34, of Wallace, “attempt[ed] to shove a large bag of white crystalized substance under the passenger seat,” troopers said.

Once Crites was detained, troopers performed a search of the vehicle and located “a bag of blue pills” of presumed fentanyl, a set of digital scales and packaging materials, according to the complaint.

Troopers then interviewed Powers and Kimberly Sayers, 35, of Clarksburg, who both stated that they “traveled in the same vehicle to a residence and obtained methamphetamine,” troopers said.

During the same DUI checkpoint, Michael Fisher, 33, of Fairmont, was stopped for not having an operator’s license or proof of insurance for the red Honda motorcycle he was driving, according to a criminal complaint. Troopers said they also learned that his driver’s license was suspended for a DUI conviction from 2023.

A K-9 indicated the presence of narcotics on Fisher’s bag, and during a search, troopers found a substance that tested positive for fentanyl, a loaded Kimber micro 9 semi-automatic pistol and $432 in cash, the complaint said.

Powers, Crites, Sayers and Fisher have all been charged with possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance. They are being held in North Central Regional Jail.

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