GRAY POLICE DEPARTMENT
A traffic stop on the Gray Bypass at Gray Highway, due to an active warrant alert, resulted in two arrests for charges of drug and firearm possession.
Lavelle Maurice Brown, 27, was arrested Aug. 23 and charged with possession and use of drug-related objects, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of firearm or knife during commission or attempt to commit certain felonies and possession of schedule I substance with intent to distribute
Xzavier T. Lewis, 22, also arrested Aug. 23 was charged with probation violation for fingerprintable charge misdemeanor, possession of firearm or knife during commission of or attempt to commit certain felonies, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession and use of drug-related objects and possession of schedule I narcotic (THC Vapes) with the intent to distribute.
A report of the arrests by Gray Police Officer Brad James stated he was on patrol Aug.
23 on the Gray Bypass and ran the tag on a blue Volkswagen Passat on his computer. He said the registered owner of the car came back with a warrant.
The officer said he stopped the vehicle and made contact with Brown, the driver.
James said, when speaking with Brown, he smelled marijuana coming from the vehicle.
He said the driver admitted to having a little over an ounce.
The officer said he informed the owner the reason for the traffic stop and took him into custody.
James said he asked Brown where the marijuana was, and he said it was in his bag.
The officer then made contact with the passenger. He said he saw marijuana shake out of Lewis’ clothes as he stepped out of the car. James said Lewis was taken into custody and placed in the car of GPD Officer Daniel Pointer, who had arrived to assist.
A search of the vehicle netted a bag of marijuana in the passenger side front door pocket and a 45-caliber handgun in the front driver seat area. James said a further search found 15 THC vapes located in the center console.
A bag of marijuana was also located under the driver’s seat along with loose marijuana all over the rear floorboard and seats.
A bag with marijuana was found in the passenger-side, rear floorboard. James said Brown and Lewis were transported to the Jones County Law Enforcement Center.
Brown was in Jones County Superior Court Sept. 1 seeking a bond, represented by Defense Attorney Debra Gomez. The attorney told the court that her client’s warrant was due to court mix up. She said the vapes were purchased by Brown for his personal use, and he has no prior felonies.
“His family is here. He will live with his mother, and he is no risk to flee. Mr. Brown is no danger to the community, and the only witnesses are the officers,” Gomez said.
She asked for a bond of $15,000.
Assistant District Attorney Cara Fiore prosecuted the case. She said three bags of marijuana were found in the car, amounting to more than two ounces.
“The bags were found in separate areas of the car, and 15 vape pins are more than personal use. This is a possession with intent case and possession of a firearm,” she said.
Fiore said Brown is facing a potential sentence of 65 years.
“I believe he is a risk to commit a new offense and a possible risk to flee. I ask for a higher bond, usually in the $50,000 range,” she said.
Gomez said she did not agree with the 65-year sentence estimate for the marijuana charges. She said he would agree to no contact with this co-defendant. The attorney said Brown got the weapon after he was carjacked.
“We ask for bond to allow him to return to work,” she said.
Superior Court Judge Brenda Trammell granted Brown a bond of $25,000 with the condition that he enter into a drug rehabilitation program and has no contact with his codefendant.
