James Ryan arrested for meth distribution

Sedona AZ (November 21, 2012) – On November 14, 2012, a Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office K9 deputy, assigned to Partners Against Narcotics Trafficking (PANT), attempted to stop a black 2003 Hyundai sedan without a license plate on north Arizona Interstate 17 near milepost 244.

The Hyundai vehicle did not initially yield until pulling into the parking lot of the Bad Ass Steakhouse in Black Canyon City. The sedan contained two occupants identified as 39-year-old James Ryan, the driver, and his passenger, 35-year-old Melissa Truax. Both the driver and the passenger of the vehicle reside in Phoenix.

As the YCSO K9 deputy approached, he noticed Ryan moving around and acting very nervously. Ryan exited the vehicle and appeared overly concerned about the contact. During a weapons check, the YCSO deputy discovered several hundred dollars in Ryan’s possession. While speaking with passenger Truax, who was still seated in the vehicle, the deputy spotted a clear plastic baggie containing white residue on the floorboard. Truax was asked to exit the vehicle and provide consent to search for possible drugs since the Hyundai was in her name. Truax refused.

Melissa Truax arrested for meth sales

The deputy deployed his K9 for an exterior sniff of the vehicle and the dog alerted on the passenger side culminating with a paw scratch on the door. Based on the K9 drug alert, YCSO deputies searched the vehicle and found meth on the floorboard, and a package of unopened clear plastic baggies commonly used in drug sales.

Inside the Truax Hyundai trunk, deputies found a quantity of meth in multiple baggies, along with scales and a syringe. An excess of six ounces of meth with an estimated street value of $7500 was seized from the trunk.

Truax admitted involvement in the transportation of meth for sales in Yavapai County. Detectives developed information Ryan also played a role in the drug transportation.

As a result, Ryan and Truax were arrested for Possession of Dangerous Drugs, Possession of Dangerous Drugs for Sale, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Transportation of Dangerous Drugs for Sale. Ryan and Truax remain in-custody with individual bonds of $150,000.

Citizens can contact the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office with information or questions at 928-771-3260 or the YCSO website at www.ycsoaz.gov.

For the best Sedona Arizona News and Views? Subscribe to www.SedonaEye.com today.