JONESBORO, Ark. — A Jonesboro probationer was arrested on felony drug and tampering charges after a traffic stop in which officers said they found methamphetamine, broken glass pipe shards, and an open bottle of alcohol in the vehicle.
James Edward Williams, 46, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine or cocaine greater than 2 grams, a Class C felony; tampering with physical evidence, a Class D felony; driving on a suspended license; offenses involving an ignition interlock device; and possession of an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle. It was noted in court by the judge that he may face possible additional charges, including DWI.
Bail was set at $35,000 cash or surety, with no driving allowed. His next court date is May 18.
According to the probable cause affidavit, officers conducted a traffic stop on March 28 on a vehicle for an inoperable passenger-side taillight.
The affidavit states the driver began slowing down when officers activated their emergency lights, but failed to pull over immediately. Officers reported seeing the driver making repeated digging and reaching movements toward the passenger seat area before the vehicle stopped.
Police identified the driver as Williams, according to the affidavit. Williams told officers his license was suspended, but said he had no warrants.
Dispatch confirmed Williams’ license was suspended and that he was on active probation, the affidavit states. Officers then told Williams they would conduct a probation search of his person and vehicle.
No contraband was found on Williams, according to the affidavit. But during a search of the vehicle, officers reported seeing what appeared to be glass shards in the passenger-side floorboard.
On closer inspection, officers identified the shards as pieces of a broken glass pipe with a white residue they believed to be methamphetamine, according to the affidavit.
While continuing the search, officers reported finding a red bag on the front passenger seat. Inside the bag was a small white baggie containing a white crystal-like substance consistent with methamphetamine weighing 2.75 grams, according to the affidavit.
Police also reported finding an open bottle of Jose Cuervo in the passenger-side floorboard. No additional contraband was found in the vehicle, the affidavit states.
According to the affidavit, Williams told officers the red bag containing the controlled substance did not belong to him and that the vehicle belonged to his daughter. He also said he was unaware of the broken glass pipe in the floorboard. But officers wrote that, based on Williams’ behavior before stopping and the presence of fresh glass shards, they believed he had attempted to destroy physical evidence.
The affidavit also states Williams had an ignition interlock restriction, but no interlock device was observed in the vehicle he was driving.
All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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