EAST LIVERPOOL — Charges have been filed against Steven Michael Shaffer Jr, 40, address not provided, for possession of a controlled substance after East Liverpool police officers found a prescription bottle with the label ripped off in his front pants pockets during a search while being placed under arrest on Oct. 13.

The pill bottle contained 25 Clonazepam (Klonopin), two Suboxone (8mg) and 1 Gabapentin (800mg), which Shaffer said were “his subs.”

According to a police report, Shaffer was arrested after telling officers during a traffic stop on Pennsylvania Avenue to “take me to jail or take me home I guess,” during a sobriety test. He also said that he he’ll admit that he shouldn’t be driving, but he wanted to go home.

Shaffer was pulled over for a traffic stop after an officer on patrol observed him driving a pick-up truck which he jerked to the left to avoid the sidewalk while trying to negotiate a curve and then then strike the curb of a sidewalk and jerk sharply to the left again. The officer followed Shaffer and observed him traveling in the left lane, sharply turning right and then driving in the right lane again. After Shaffer made a U-turn with no turn signal, the officer turned on lights and siren to make the traffic stop.

When the officer approached the vehicle, he detected the odor of alcohol coming from the truck when the officer asked Shaffer where he was heading Shaffer responded, “I was heading to Sylvia’s, but they’re closed so I’m going back home and yes I’ve had a couple of drinks.”

According to the police report, when the officer walked back to his cruiser to run Shaffer’s license, he noticed a large black garbage bag containing numerous empty beer cans. The officer then called for another officer to stand by while he conducted field sobriety testing.

When asked if he would consent to field sobriety testing, Shaffer told officers he would rather do a breath test, then stated he would try the test, but he has titanium hips.

After beginning the test and not following directions, the officers asked him if he was going to cooperate with the test to which Shaffer responded, “I’m failing it.” Officers tried again to conduct the test which indicated signs of impairment, which is when Shaffer told them to take him to jail or take him home.

After Shaffer was placed under arrest and placed in the back of a police cruiser, officers searched his truck and found another prescription bottle with a faded label and no name on it. The second pill bottle contained a variety of pills which included one Clonazepam (Klonopin), 18 Gabapentin (300 mg) and one Gabapentin (400 mg).

Officers transported Shaffer to the police department where he was offered a breath test which came back with a reading of 0.211 Brac. They then read him a notice of suspension and issued a traffic citation and transported him to his brother’s house.

The pills were submitted into evidence and charges were filed against Shaffer for possession of a controlled substance.

kgarabrandt@mojonews.com