Former garbage hauler facing drug charges
BY RACHEL DOVE
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — A Tomahawk resident was found unresponsive inside a vehicle Friday evening at Slone’s Cycle Shop along Route 40 in Inez and was revived with multiple doses of Narcan.
Martin County Sheriff’s Deputy Tyler Lafferty was dispatched to the cycle shop parking area at approximately 6:40 p.m. on a report of an unresponsive male inside a car. Upon arrival, Lafferty recognized the subject as 42-year-old Lonnie Joe “Joey” Robinson, a former garbage hauler for the Martin County Fiscal Court.
Lafferty says the vehicle was in reverse and had rolled backward, coming to rest against the ramp in front of the business.
The deputy banged and beat his fists on the hood and driver’s door, yelling Robinson’s name, but could not get Robinson to respond. Due to the seriousness of the situation, Lafferty had to break the glass on the passenger side door to gain access and unlock the vehicle.
NetCare Ambulance responded and joined the deputy in his attempt to get a response from Robinson, to no avail. EMS personnel began administering Narcan, which typically brings a patient around after one dose. However, that was not the case with Robinson. Emergency personnel administered three doses (12 mg) before Robinson showed any sign of regaining consciousness.
“The medic on scene told me Joe was only breathing 5-6 times a minute when we first got to him in the vehicle,” Lafferty said. “He was pretty much circling the drain. The EMS employees said if we hadn’t gotten to him when we did, the situation could have easily ended on a very bad note. I’ve never had to administer three doses of Narcan to revive anyone; this was a first for me.”
Lafferty discovered a purple pipe containing a crystal-like substance believed to be methamphetamine in Robinson’s vehicle.
Robinson was charged with first-degree possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) and drug paraphernalia buy-possession and transported to Highlands ARH.
Once in the emergency room, officers recovered a clear baggie containing a brownish substance that Robinson had tucked inside his sock. Lafferty told the Mountain Citizen that he believed the substance was heroin or fentanyl or a combination of both, which contributed to the seriousness of the situation.
Due to a lack of medical clearance, officers could not transport Robinson to jail. They issued a citation and gave him an Aug. 9 court date.
Lafferty says additional charges are pending the analysis of the substance in the baggie.
“Mr. Robinson was extremely lucky that someone reported his condition to 911 and that we were able to respond as quickly as we did,” said the deputy. “Had I been on a call in another part of the county, it could have gone south really fast.”
Martin County Constable Tony Preece assisted Lafferty at the scene.