An Oregon County man is facing multiple charges after deputies found him asleep behind the wheel of a truck blocking traffic on October 16. According to the Oregon County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Austin Combs responded to County Roads 342 and 341 and located the vehicle with a male subject, later identified as John Battles, unconscious inside. After several attempts, Battles was awakened and reportedly showed signs of impairment, including slurred speech and pinpoint pupils. When asked his location, Battles responded, “earth.” Deputies say Battles denied recent alcohol use but claimed someone may have “put something in his drink.” A preliminary breath test registered 0.000. During a consent search, officers located a needle cap beneath Battles, two clear plastic bags—one containing a crystal-like substance and the other a gray powder—in his coin pocket, and a used hypodermic needle concealed inside a Bible on the dashboard. Officials noted Battles is not diabetic. A TRUNAC field test conducted by Sgt. Mike Bunting confirmed the presence of methamphetamine. The substances were submitted to the Missouri State Crime Lab for further testing. Battles was arrested and charged with felony possession of a controlled substance, felony unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, and peace disturbance. He was booked into the Oregon County Jail, and bond information has not yet been released.
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