Shortcut Leads To Mud Trap, Warrant, Weapon Charges

PITTSFIELD, NH — Two local women were arrested after a vehicle they were riding in reportedly became stuck in the mud and police allegedly discovered drugs inside of the vehicle, according to a court affidavit. Crystal Marsh, 23, pictured in this file photo, was arrested on June 10, 2017, and charged with carry/sell weapons, default or breach of bail conditions, and a warrant out of the Merrimack County Sheriff’s Office. Also arrested was Jessica Stratton, 23, for felony possession of a controlled drug-methamphetamine.

Editor’s Note: This post was derived from information supplied by the Pittsfield Police Department and Concord District Court. It does not indicate a conviction. This link explains the name removal request process for NH Patch police reports.

At around 12:30 a.m. on June 10, an officer was on Ingalls Road approaching the dead-end of the street and discovered a motor vehicle facing north along a trail stuck in the mud. The officer approached the vehicle with a flashlight and immediately recognized Marsh, from previous interactions, sitting in the front passenger seat of the vehicle. Another woman – Stratton – was allegedly seated in the back. Two men, the officer noted, were attempting to use floor mats under the vehicle’s tires to gain traction to get out of the mud.

The owner of the vehicle reportedly stated that he took a shortcut from Chichester in order to get to a relative’s home and became stuck.

While speaking with the owner of the vehicle, the officer allegedly “discovered in plain view” a glass pipe inside of the vehicle. Dispatch also reported that Marsh had an active “no bail” warrant. The officer asked the owner of the vehicle to speak with him privately and asked about the pipe. The man reportedly admitted that it was a marijuana pipe but there was no marijuana in it, according to the affidavit.

Other officers were called to the scene while all four people were separated so the officer could handcuff Marsh, according to the report. After securing Marsh, the officer spoke with Stratton who was reportedly seated with a knapsack at her feet. She was reportedly assisted out of the vehicle as a detective and a sergeant arrived and a consent search request was made and granted.

According to the report, a bag where Marsh was seated allegedly contained a spoon, rolling papers, and a locked brown pocketbook labeled “dime bags.” The bag was handed to the detective so he could speak with Marsh about it. She reportedly gave consent to search the bag and the detective allegedly found three marijuana pipes, a “Stink Stack” bag (reportedly spice), a scale, a lottery ticket, and an iPod.

The officer continued searching the vehicle including a bag that was reportedly at the feet of Stratton. Inside, the officer allegedly found three makeup bags and a black earphone container with a plastic baggie and white residue with small crystal shaped rocks at the bottom.

The officer reportedly took Stratton aside to ask about the crystals found inside of knapsack but she allegedly denied knowing what they were. The officer went to retrieve a field test kit when the sergeant stated that Marsh allegedly “attempted to kick something underneath the passenger seat of the cruiser.” The officer went to Marsh’s feet and allegedly found a white bandana tied to brass knuckles, according to the affidavit.

The detective searched Marsh while the officer field tested the crystals which allegedly came back positive for methamphetamine.

The officer went to approach Stratton to arrest her. At the time, the affidavit stated, she was smoking a cigarette and was allowed to take a few more drags while the officer retrieved a smaller set of handcuffs. While doing this, the report alleged, Stratton – who was not wearing shoes – took off running toward the vehicle that was stuck in the mud. The officer gave chase and eventually caught her about 30 or 40 feet into the woods and placed her in handcuffs.

The affidavit noted that both the officer and Stratton sustained minor knee injuries and were treated by EMTs. Both Marsh and Stratton refused bail and were held.