Police: CT scan leads to drug bust in Springfield; surgery required

Springfield police say they found more than $1,200 cash and three different types of drugs on — or in — a man who was hospitalized following a motorcycle crash.

John E. Julian, 48, was charged Tuesday with three counts of drug distribution after police say surgery was required to recover some of the narcotics he was carrying earlier this year.

According to a probable cause statement, police were dispatched to a Mercy Hospital trauma room just before midnight on April 30 after the hospital staff found a "large amount of narcotics" on Julian, who was a patient at the hospital.

The statement says Julian had been transported to Mercy Hospital in a helicopter after he was involved in a motorcycle crash in Benton County, Arkansas.

As the staff was undressing Julian to assess his wounds, they located some plastic bags with drugs and what looked like a drug ledger, according to the statement.

The staff also found $1,245 cash in Julian's wallet in addition to a check for $180, the statement says.

As the officer was getting ready to leave with the drugs and cash, the hospital staff informed him that a CT scan had revealed more drugs hidden in Julian's rectum, according to the statement.

Testing at the crime lab revealed that Julian was in possession of 28 grams of meth, 8.5 grams of marijuana and at least five generic Xanax pills, according to the statement.

A bond recommendation document says Julian has prior convictions for forgery, drug possession, resisting arrest and assault on law enforcement. He also has two active drug distribution charges out of Henry County.

Prosecutors have requested a warrant for Julian's arrest. He does not have an attorney listed for this case.