Disabled vehicle leads to drug arrests

A disabled vehicle in Ponce de Leon led to the arrest of two on multiple drug charges.

A Holmes County Sheriff’s Office deputy was patrolling in the area of Highway 181 and Highway 81 on May 1, when they encountered a disabled vehicle and two subjects identified as Cheryl Ann Hunt Ruiz and Sandy Lynn Tice.

After the deputy helped move the vehicle off the roadway, Ruiz began to act erratically and stated she had a baggie in her pocket. A search of Ruiz’s person located a baggie containing methamphetamine. HCSO then conducted a probable cause search of the vehicle revealing a cut near the seat where Tice had been sitting. 

Ms. Ruiz’s purse was also searched, where deputies found two additional baggies of
methamphetamine, more than 30 various prescription medications for which she had no prescription, and a scale.

HCSO determined the decal attached was not assigned to that vehicle.

Tice is charged with possession of paraphernalia.

Ruiz is charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of a controlled substance, possession of controlled substance without a prescription, possession of paraphernalia, failure to register motor vehicle, and attaching a sticker not assigned.