A traffic stop in Vermilion on Thursday led to the arrest of a 42-year-old Amherst man who was allegedly transporting large quantities of narcotics and a loaded handgun.
At approximately 5:52 p.m. on May 1, Vermilion Police Officer Nicholas Kowal initiated a stop on a white Chevy van after it made an unsafe lane change on Liberty Avenue near the Sunoco gas station. The driver, Damien Ward Hughey, appeared nervous and declined to consent to a search of the vehicle.
A K-9 officer, Sgt. Chandler, arrived with K-9 Falon, who alerted to the presence of narcotics. A search of the vehicle uncovered:
- Over 42 grams of methamphetamine split into two separate bags
- Approximately 1.38 grams of fentanyl
- A loaded Canik 9mm pistol behind the driver’s seat
- Additional marijuana/THC products, glass pipes, a digital scale, and a bag of unknown pills
- Three cell phones, $70 in cash, and other tools and drug paraphernalia
The weapon and drugs were found within arm’s reach of the driver. Hughey was arrested and transported to the Vermilion Police Department for processing, including fingerprinting and DNA collection.
He is facing multiple felony charges, including:
- Trafficking in Drugs (F2)
- Aggravated Possession of Drugs – Methamphetamine (F2)
- Possession of Fentanyl (F5)
- Having Weapons While Under Disability (F3)
- Possession of Criminal Tools (F5)
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (M4)
Police noted that Hughey was already under indictment in Lorain County for a previous narcotics case. The vehicle was towed and impounded by Vermilion police, and a forfeiture form was completed.
Hughey was transported to the Lorain County Jail, where he is being held without bond. He is scheduled to appear in court on May 6, 2025.
