Franklin man who allegedly fled troopers, threw meth from window indicted on drug charges

A Franklin man will be arraigned on multiple drug charges following indictments handed down by a Warren County grand jury Friday.

Jason A. Cundiff, 36, will be arraigned at 1 p.m. Wednesday in Warren County Common Pleas Court on the grand jury indictments of aggravated trafficking in drugs with a major drug offender specification, a first-degree felony; aggravated possession of drugs, with a major drug offender specification, a first-degree felony; tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony; and failure to comply with an order or signal of a police officer, a third-degree felony.

Cundiff was arrested Aug. 6 following a routine stop by the Ohio State Highway Patrol that led to a short pursuit on Interstate 75 southbound in Franklin Twp., north of the Middletown exit.

Cundiff’s 2011 Mitsubishi Galant was stopped for following too close and a license plate light violation. As troopers approached the vehicle, Cundiff fled and a short pursuit ensued, officials said.

During the pursuit, Cundiff was observed throwing a bag out of the window on Ohio 63 near New Garver Road, and he nearly sideswiped another motorist, according to police. A short time later, he voluntarily stopped and was taken into custody without incident.

Another trooper responded to that location and found the black bag with the alleged meth and the insurance card to the vehicle Cundiff was driving, which did not belong to him.

Troopers say the bag was alleged to have contained 369 grams of methamphetamine. The meth seized was valued at $37,269, according to the patrol.

Cundiff remains in the Warren County Jail under a $50,000 bond.

If convicted, he could face up to 25 years in prison and up to a $50,000 fine, according to the patrol.

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