ST. GEORGE — A St. George man and woman were arrested Saturday after police found them in possession of heroin near the parking lot of the Red Rock Canyon School at 747 E St George Blvd. in St. George.
St. George Police Officer Seth LeFevre was patrolling on a mountain bike Saturday at approximately 3:15 p.m. near the Red Rock Canyon School when he witnessed Daniel Ratliff smoking a cigarette on a park trail, according to probable cause statements supporting the arrests. Cheramie Pitts was with Ratliff at the time, and the park trail is a no smoking zone, LeFevre said in the statements.
Daniel Ratliff booking photo posted Nov. 22, 2014 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office
After making contact with Ratliff, 26, and Pitts, 24, LeFevre learned that Ratliff had three active warrants out for his arrest and Pitts had one out for her arrest, he said in the statements, and each of them was accordingly placed under arrest.
After further investigation, LeFevre discovered the vehicle Pitts had driven to the area was registered to a third person. After gaining consent from the vehicle’s owner, LeFevre said in the statements, he conducted a search of the vehicle.
“I located used syringes, a scale, a spoon with burnt residue on it and other drug paraphernalia,” LeFevre said in the statements. “I also located vials of fluid that was labeled as testosterone.”
Both Ratliff and Pitts said they had used heroin just minutes before coming into contact with the police, LeFevre’s probable cause statements said. Ratliff also said a friend had given him the testosterone, and that he did not have a prescription for it.
Because the arrest took place within 10 feet of the Red Rock Canyon School, a drug free zone, all charges against Ratliff and Pitts were enhanced.
Cheramie Pitts booking photo posted Nov. 22, 2014 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office
The two were arrested and booked into Washington County Purgatory Correctional Facility.
In addition to outstanding charges on his warrants, Ratliff was charged with one second-degree felony for possession of heroin; two class A misdemeanors for possession of testosterone and possession of drug paraphernalia; and three class B misdemeanor warrants. Ratliff’s bail is set at $16,295.
In addition to outstanding charges on her warrant, Pitts is charged with one second-degree felony for heroin possession; one class A misdemeanor for possession of drug paraphernalia; and one class B misdemeanor warrant. Her bail is set at $12,680.
Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.
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