Traffic Stop Leads to Drug Charges in Paragould

PARAGOULD, Ark. — A traffic stop in Paragould led to felony drug charges after police said they found cash, suspected drug-sale messages, and about a half-pound of marijuana during a later apartment search.

Jacquez Knowles was arrested by Paragould police on charges of possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance with the purpose to deliver, possession of a controlled substance and use of a communication device, listed as Class C felonies. He also faces misdemeanor charges of possession of drug paraphernalia and obstructing governmental operations.

According to a probable cause affidavit, officers conducted a traffic stop at about 1:43 p.m. July 6 for a defective taillight. Police said the driver, later identified as Knowles, was not wearing a seat belt.

During the stop, officers learned Knowles was on a suspended imposition of sentence with a search waiver on file. Police said he was removed from the vehicle, and officers searched him and the vehicle. A total of $1,149 in cash was found in the vehicle, according to the affidavit.

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The affidavit says Knowles told police he lived at an apartment on Theil Road. Police said the address matched information on file.

While one officer searched the vehicle, another searched Knowles’ cellphone as a condition of the SIS, according to the affidavit. Police said Knowles grabbed the phone from the officer and locked it. The affidavit says Knowles was told his SIS conditions required him to allow officers to search the phone, but he refused to unlock it again.

Police said messages on the phone indicated the sale of marijuana shortly before Knowles grabbed the device.

Knowles was then placed in handcuffs and put into a patrol unit, according to the affidavit.

Officers later contacted people at the Theil Road apartment, who confirmed Knowles stayed there off and on and had property in a back bedroom, according to the affidavit. Police said residents gave consent to search the bedroom.

During the search, officers said they found mail with Knowles’ name and address, about a half-pound of marijuana packaged separately in different weights, digital scales with suspected marijuana residue, pipes used for smoking marijuana and a small amount of suspected psilocybin mushrooms.

Judge Curtis Hitt set bond at $50,000 and ordered Knowles to wear an ankle monitor.

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