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ST. GEORGE — A man who called police for help after being locked in a laundromat was arrested when investigators say they found drugs in his possession Wednesday, according to the St. George Police Department.
Jesse William James, 38, was doing his laundry at a laundromat with late operating hours, located at 785 E. St. George Blvd., when the doors automatically locked. He called police for help just after midnight, according to Sgt. Sam Despain.
"He was afraid that if he tried to get out he would set off an alarm, so he called us just in case an alarm went off or he needed help getting out of the building without it being suspicious in some way,” he said.
One of the officers who responded had a police dog. The dog detected drugs in the car, Despain said.
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An investigation into a major methamphetamine trafficking operation culminated recently with charges against 10 people in Utah and Arizona.James was arrested on suspicion of possession of methamphetamine, possession of paraphernalia and possession of a schedule two drug, which was prescription medicine, according to investigators. The charges will be enhanced because the drugs were found in a drug-free zone.
Despain said the way police came in contact with James was interesting and unique.
“He actually called us, I guess kind of seeking our help and we did respond and we did help him — however the investigation kind of developed from there which led to him being in possession of some drugs,” he said.
James has been arrested on drug charges in the past, according to court documents.
