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Police: Man used heroin in back of cruiser

Posted at 1:40 PM, Feb 19, 2016
and last updated 2016-02-19 13:40:25-05

A man who was already under arrest for being under the influence of heroin is now facing more charges after police say he continued to use drugs once he was put in the back of a police cruiser.

An officer was dispatched to Dogwood Drive NE in Massillon around 2:44 p.m. Thursday for a report of a suspicious vehicle. When the officer arrived he saw a car sitting at the stop sign, with a driver who appeared to be passed out. 

The officer woke up the driver and asked him to put the car in park.

According to police, the man, 25-year-old Nickolas Spradling, admitted to being under the influence of heroin. 

The officer placed him under arrest and put him in the police cruiser.

While Spradling was in the back seat, the officer noticed him moving around. He thought something was up so he pulled over and looked back to see Spradling with his face "buried on a dollar bill with powdery substance on it," according to police. 

He was then transported to the jail. 

A short while later, Spradling started to overdose at the jail. He was treated at the hospital and then transported to Stark County Jail. 

Spradling is facing charges of heroin possession and tampering with evidence.