SUPERIOR COURT
A Macon man was sentenced to 10 years with three years to serve after entering a guilty plea to charges he received as a passenger during an April traffic stop.
Brandon Jarquavius Todd was in Jones County Superior Court Jan. 3 to plead guilty to theft by receiving stolen property and possession of a firearm by a first offender probationer. He received 10 years for each offense, which were ordered to run consecutively, for a total of 10 years, with three years to serve.
The sentence states that Todd is to receive credit for time served since his April 16 arrest.
According to a report of Todd’s arrest by Jones County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Kasey Carr, he stopped the black Charger driven by Qwentina Ronae Johnson on Shurling Drive because it did not have a license plate.
Carr said Johnson identified herself and told him she had purchased the vehicle the day before and showed him a bill of sale. He said while speaking with her, he detected the odor of marijuana coming from the car.
The sergeant said he asked the driver for her license, but she said she did not have it with her.
He said he got her date of birth and information from the front and rear passengers. Carr said he ran their information on the computer in his patrol car and found out Todd, the rear passenger, was wanted out of Monroe County for a probation violation.
At that time the sergeant requested another unit to his location. Carr said Johnson was able to confirm that the Charger had insurance, and when Sgt. John Humphries arrived at the scene, Todd was asked to exit the car and taken into custody.
Carr asked about the odor of marijuana, and Johnson said there was a small amount in the Charger. He said he asked about any weapons in the car and the driver said possibly a pistol that belonged to her nephew.
The officers conducted a search of the car and found a small baggie of marijuana and a Glock that was tucked under the seat. Carr had dispatch run the serial number of the pistol, and it was reported stolen out of Bibb County.
Because the firearm was found within reach of the driver, Johnson was taken into custody. She told officers, however, that Todd had placed the pistol under the seat when the car was pulled over.
Carr said a search of a backpack belonging to Todd revealed a NcStar flashlight and laser combo attachment for a pistol. The sergeant said he asked Todd about the Glock and he said he had no idea there was a pistol in the car. Todd admitted the laser attachment was his but said it was for another pistol.
At that point Carr said both Johnson and Todd were informed they were under arrest and transported to the Jones County Law Enforcement Center.
Johnson was charged with felony theft by receiving stolen property, and Todd was charged with possession of firearm by convicted felon or first offender and felony theft by receiving stolen property.
