St. George man, woman arrested for heroin possession near school

ST. GEORGE — A St. George man and woman were arrested Saturday after police found them in possession of heroin near the parking lot of the Red Rock Canyon School at 747 E St George Blvd. in St. George.

St. George Police Officer Seth LeFevre was patrolling on a mountain bike Saturday at approximately 3:15 p.m. near the Red Rock Canyon School when he witnessed Daniel Ratliff smoking a cigarette on a park trail, according to probable cause statements supporting the arrests. Cheramie Pitts was with Ratliff at the time, and the park trail is a no smoking zone, LeFevre said in the statements.

Daniel Ratliff booking photo posted Nov. 22, 2014 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff's Office
Daniel Ratliff booking photo posted Nov. 22, 2014 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office

After making contact with Ratliff, 26, and Pitts, 24, LeFevre learned that Ratliff had three active warrants out for his arrest and Pitts had one out for her arrest, he said in the statements, and each of them was  accordingly placed under arrest.

After further investigation, LeFevre discovered the vehicle Pitts had driven to the area was registered to a third person. After gaining consent from the vehicle’s owner, LeFevre said in the statements, he conducted a search of the vehicle.

“I located used syringes, a scale, a spoon with burnt residue on it and other drug paraphernalia,” LeFevre said in the statements. “I also located vials of fluid that was labeled as testosterone.”

Both Ratliff and Pitts said they had used heroin just minutes before coming into contact with the police, LeFevre’s probable cause statements said. Ratliff also said a friend had given him the testosterone, and that he did not have a prescription for it.

Because the arrest took place within 10 feet of the Red Rock Canyon School, a drug free zone, all charges against Ratliff and Pitts were enhanced.

Cheramie Pitts booking photo posted Nov. 22, 2014 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff's Office
Cheramie Pitts booking photo posted Nov. 22, 2014 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office

The two were arrested and booked into Washington County Purgatory Correctional Facility.

In addition to outstanding charges on his warrants, Ratliff was charged with one second-degree felony for possession of heroin; two class A misdemeanors for possession of testosterone and possession of drug paraphernalia; and three class B misdemeanor warrants. Ratliff’s bail is set at $16,295.

In addition to outstanding charges on her warrant, Pitts is charged with one second-degree felony for heroin possession; one class A misdemeanor for possession of drug paraphernalia; and one class B misdemeanor warrant. Her bail is set at $12,680.

Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.

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10 Comments

  • Zonkerb November 24, 2014 at 8:01 pm

    Future members of the St George city council but first let’s get a fundraiser going these people are innocent of any wrong doing… it’s not like they were dancing in public

  • tight magic undies November 25, 2014 at 7:19 am

    Come on Mormons, where you at? #savethejunkies

    • Koolaid November 25, 2014 at 8:57 am

      Yeah, where’s the fundraisers? She looks unhappy. Maybe fund her a boob job to perk her up.

  • sagemoon November 25, 2014 at 8:32 am

    Dang junkies.

    • dancing infidel November 25, 2014 at 2:13 pm

      Yup….junkies suck!

  • Zonkerb November 25, 2014 at 9:29 am

    Yeah all you love your fellow man Mormons should be all over this get the food and fundraiser going here

  • joe November 25, 2014 at 4:24 pm

    My brother is a good man that tramp has pulled him down from the day he met her. Now instead of help he’ll be instatutionalized and never be the same. Its easier to get drugs in jail then the the streets. FIX THE SYSTEM

    • Herd November 25, 2014 at 7:39 pm

      Blame the woman. That’s what they do in St George when guys get in trouble. He’s two years older than her.

  • Jake December 23, 2014 at 2:39 pm

    I will be brief, our whole system is only working against our own citizens when it comes to drugs, application of the law, etc. it’s. Unbelievable. How many Americans are being incarcerated, caged, even though they are wrong. Something to think about$$$$$ some people get caught up in this illegal not knowing how deep they are and that you can’t just get out. Our government know the source, location, method of transport and much more, I’m talking about this pure meth and crap. This affects the innocent loved ones left behind more than the inmate. Let’s please take our country back and protect one another. I’ve served the country for the last 35 years and continue to serve, a relative of mine was just subjected to this and have shattered the family” Get the source” Local law enforcement should be applauded. Lastly we must find a cure for this cancer.

  • Jake December 23, 2014 at 2:56 pm

    Local law enforcement have a job to do just as anyone else but we get mad when they do, particularly when it directly affects one, we have to take the moral high ground, let the grieving process run its course and thank god for law enforcement (locally) God bless our government, they certainly need the courage and wisdom.

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