Pickaway County Most Wanted List, Sentenced to Prison

Pickaway County – A man wanted since 2020 was ultimately captured and sentenced to prison after evading charges of drug trafficking, failure to comply and child endangerment.

Brian Woodruff was first arrested on August 26, 2020. A routine traffic stop on US-22 West near the Circleville Water Treatment Plant led to the arrest of Brian Woodruff, who was found in possession of methamphetamine. The incident occurred around 6:53 p.m. when a police officer stopped a silver 2012 Honda Civic for speeding.

When he contacted the driver, Woodruff, he immediately admitted, “Sir, I’m not going to lie to you, I don’t have a driver’s license.” He showed an expired Florida driver’s license and provided his Social Security number. A check through the Law Enforcement Automated Data System (LEADS) revealed that Woodruff’s driver’s license was suspended in Ohio.

During the encounter, the officer noted Woodruff’s parole status and asked him about his parole, to which Woodruff responded, “methamphetamine.” When Woodruff was asked for permission to search the vehicle, he agreed without hesitation.

As he exited the vehicle for a security checkpoint, two large bags of methamphetamine fell to the ground. The officer quickly arrested Woodruff, told him he was under arrest and secured him in the back of the cruiser. The two bags contained approximately two ounces of meth.

Woodruff was held in the Pickaway County Jail until seen in court and released after posting $25,000 bond.

Fast forward to 1/28/22 when the Pickaway County Sheriff again encountered Woodruff during a late-night traffic stop, leading to a high-speed chase in Pickaway County after officers attempted to pull over a blue 2008 Hyundai SUV because it has a single working headlight. The incident began at approximately 11:52 p.m. on U.S. Route 23, just north of the Main Street exit in Circleville.

When the officer activated the emergency lights, the vehicle initially slowed but was unable to stop. It then continued to the Main Street exit and then west on US Route 22. Speeds during the chase reached up to 90 miles per hour, with the SUV weaving dangerously between lanes. Despite snowy and icy conditions, the vehicle continued to travel on State Route 104 at speeds of 75 to 80 mph.

During the chase, the driver lost control of the car and struck a guardrail. As the vehicle came to a stop, two passengers – a woman identified as Jennifer McCall and her young children – jumped out of the SUV. The driver, who remained in the car, fled unscathed.

Officers detained McCall and her children to ensure their safety and called for emergency medical services after McCall reported an injury to her left knee. While waiting for the ambulance, officers discovered McCall also had an outstanding warrant out of Pike County.

Officers interrupted the pursuit of Woodruff at the time due to concern for the woman and children who jumped out of the car, but a warrant was issued after Woodruff was identified as the driver. Additional charges of failure to comply with the order or signal of a police officer and child endangerment were added to his current list of charges in Pickaway County.

In 2022, Pickaway County Sheriff added Woodruff to the county’s most wanted list, and Woodruff disappeared from the area for several years. In July of this year, Woodruff was arrested on his warrants and eventually brought to trial. This week Woodruff. 53 was found guilty of aggravated drug trafficking and other charges and was sentenced to 4 to 6 years in prison and a $7,500 fine.