Traffic Stop Leads to Drug Communication Charge, Brass Knuckles Seized

JONESBORO, Ark. — A traffic stop in Jonesboro led to a felony charge for a Blytheville suspect after police say officers found multiple cell phones containing alleged drug sales conversations and a pair of brass knuckles inside the vehicle.

According to a probable cause affidavit, Officer C. Davies with the Jonesboro Police Department conducted a traffic stop Feb. 9 at East Johnson Avenue and Melrose Street for failing to use a turn signal.

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The driver was identified as 38-year-old Martines O. Times of Blytheville. Police learned Times was on active felony probation with a search waiver on file and conducted a probation search of the vehicle.

During the search, officers reported locating gold-plated brass knuckles inside the glove box. Police also found four operational cell phones inside the vehicle that were connected to one another, according to the affidavit.

Authorities said a probation search of one of the phones revealed multiple conversations and photographs of marijuana. The affidavit states officers observed messages referencing prices, weights and other terms commonly used in narcotics sales. Officers also reported seeing conversations allegedly arranging meet locations and payments through Cash App.

Times was taken into custody and transported to the detention center.

He is charged with use of a communication device to facilitate a drug offense, a Class C felony, and criminal use of prohibited weapons — brass knuckles, a Class A misdemeanor.

Bail was set at $50,000 cash or surety. His next court date is March 20.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.