FRANK LEWIS

PDT Staff Writer

When you drive laps around the track at Portsmouth Raceway Park, they usually like for you to be registered for the race and not to have drugs or alcohol in the vehicle. That was not the case Sunday when three men took a joy ride around the track.Quick work by a track employee who thought to close the exit gate, kept the vehicle on the track until members of the Scioto County Sheriff’s Office could get to them and facilitate arrests.

Captain John Murphy and other deputies responded to the scene where they reportedly located two rolled marijuana cigarettes and a blue pipe used for smoking marijuana inside the car. The pipe reportedly had a leafy substance in it at the time. Deputies also found a 12-pack of beer with several empty cans. According to the report, all three men were heavily intoxicated.

Emory A. Dials, 51, of 1025 16th St., Portsmouth, was charged with disorderly conduct, illegal use or possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of drugs - marijuana; and Billy J. Butcher, 28, of 824 Court St., Portsmouth, and James E. Butcher, 29, of 149 Ohio 239, West Portsmouth were both charged with disorderly conduct.

Frank Lewis may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 232, or at flewis@heartlandpublications.com