Hempstead County Drug Arrest

HOPE – Wednesday, December 2 Hempstead County Deputy Layton Medlen was dispatched to the 2400 block of  East 23rd Street in reference to criminal trespassing.

Upon arrival, he made contact with someone who lives nearby who stated that he had been advised the door on his house was open. The owner advised Deputy Medlen that the house has not been lived in and there should not be anyone there. The owner stated that he drove by the residence and he observed that the door was shut. and wanted Deputy Medlen to check and make sure no one was inside the house.

As Deputy Medlen approached the house, he allegedly observed a male subject later identified as Clifford Witherspoon, 57, walk out of the front door. Witherspoon allegedly stated “that he did not have anywhere to go and that he just came to the residence to take a nap.” Witherspoon told Deputy Medlen “that his phone was inside of the residence.

As Deputy Medlen entered the residence, he allegedly observed a clear glass pipe commonly used for smoking methamphetamine, and several other items of drug paraphernalia in the residence. The owner and Deputy Medlen searched the rest of the residence and located a clear crystal like substance on a small white piece of paper suspected to be methamphetamine, a red and white straw that was cut into a point at the end commonly used for loading methamphetamine into methamphetamine pipes, and a red and black torch lighter on the book shelf where the clear glass pipe was located, a light brown wooden box containing what appeared to be marijuana, and paraphernalia lying on the bed, including a black zip up pouch containing two plastic straws and 4 glass tubes with caps on them.

Witherspoon was transported to the Hempstead County Detention Center and charged with Criminal Trespass, Felony Possession of a Controlled Substance, Misdemeanor Possession of a Controlled Substance, Felony Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Deputy Medlen also served Failure to Appear Warrant  and gave a court date of January 25, 2021.

Witherspoon is awaiting a first court appearance.