On July 11, 2025, Riley Flinner was pulled over in Holmes County after crossing the center line while making a turn. The stop was conducted Deputy Christian Wertz. According to the record, neither a dash camera nor body camera was activated before the stop.

 

In her statement, Flinner said, “The officer pulled me over and told me it didn’t look like I was under the influence. He took my license and registration, came back and said everything looks good.”

 

At the time of the stop, Cory Baker was seated in the passenger seat. Baker has a documented criminal history that includes multiple misdemeanors and felonies and has struggled with drug addiction.

 

According to Flinner, the situation changed after law enforcement ran Baker’s identification. “The officer asked me to get out of the car. He asked me what my relation is with Cory Baker. I said we are just friends. The deputy asked if there was anything in the car. I said he", as in Cory, "has a black bag of something and I don’t know what it is. The deputy asked to search the car and asked Cory Baker to get out of the car,” she stated.

 

Flinner said both individuals were seated on the bumper of the patrol vehicle for several minutes before Baker was placed under arrest. She was detained, not arrested, and remained at the scene for over an hour while officers discussed what to do. She recalls hearing the statement, “What are we going to do with her?” They would have needed a new probable cause to keep her held on scene but persisted anyway.

 

Approximately an hour after the initial stop, Flinner was formally arrested.

 

Upon arrival at the facility, Flinner underwent drug testing, including examination of her clothing and urine. According to court records, she tested negative and no drugs were found on her person. Baker, by contrast, tested positive for high levels of methamphetamine in his system and on his clothing.

 

During later court proceedings, Baker admitted to purchasing the drugs himself. Records indicate he bought approximately one pound of methamphetamine for $700 from a dealer he knew. At sentencing, the Court reportedly told Baker, “The substance was yours.”

 

Despite Baker’s admission and Flinner’s negative toxicology results, Flinner ultimately entered a plea to possession under a theory of constructive possession — a legal concept that can hold an individual responsible for contraband found in a vehicle if knowledge and control are established.

 

Flinner later stated, “My lawyer basically forced me into a plea deal knowing I had no idea what was in the black bag, I had nothing in my system, and nothing on me.”

 

Flinner, who had no prior criminal history, was head of her class at the Wayne County School Career Center, a member of the Drug-Free Club of America, active in student council, and pursuing a career in the medical field at the time of her arrest.

 

She accepted a plea agreement resulting in a 4 to 6 year sentence and is currently incarcerated.

 

On February 12, 2026, Cory Baker was sentenced to 8 to 12 years in prison.

 

The case has generated significant public attention and community debate, particularly regarding the application of constructive possession, the absence of body camera footage, and the disparity in circumstances between the driver and the admitted purchaser of the drugs.