Search Warrant Leads to West Ashley Arrests

The Charleston Police Department Special Investigations Unit detained a West Ashley man during a downtown drug investigation on Sept. 5, and the amount of cash and prescription drugs he had with him at the time led to a search of his Windemere Boulevard apartment, according to a police statement.

Robert F. Ruplinger, 22, of 626-A Windermere Blvd., faces two counts of possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute within close proximity of a school, three counts of possession of a control substance schedule IV and unlawful conduct towards a child.

Police initially detained Ruplinger during an investigation in the area of Logan and Broad streets around 5:15 p.m. Sept. 5. At the time officers confiscated 12.5 Alprayolam pills, 1.5 Xanex Packistan pills, 51 Coladapin pills and $1,006 cash, according to the statement.

About five hours later officers executed a search warrant at Ruplinger's apartment where they recovered 504 grams of marijuana, located throughout the apartment and $875 cash.

Following the search of the apartment Police also charged Ruplinger's girlfriend and roommate Katherine Okelly Wood, 22, also of 626-A Windermere Blvd., with possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute within close proximity of a school and unlawful conduct towards a child.

The couple shared the apartment with their 9-month-old child, which led to both being charged with unlawful conduct towards a child, according to the statement.