GRAY POLICE DEPARTMENT
A routine traffic stop in the City of Gray resulted in trafficking charges after a firearm, drugs, drug paraphernalia and pills were found in the vehicle.
Cedric Walter Whitehead, 43, was arrested Feb. 12 and charged with possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of MDMA, possession of drug-related objects, possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana less than an ounce and trafficking in ecstasy.
A report of the arrest by GPD Officer Daniel Pointer states that he was running radar on the Highway 18 East Connector near Stone Brooke Drive when he was alerted to a vehicle traveling 62 mph in a 45 mph zone.
Pointer said he conducted a traffic stop on the black Buick Lacrosse and explained to the driver why he was stopped. Whitehead was the driver, and the officer said a check of his license revealed his license was suspended.
Pointer said Whitehead was asked to exit the vehicle, and while speaking to him, the odor of marijuana was detected. The officer said he conducted a contraband search on the driver and found a baggy of marijuana in his jacket pocket.
Whitehead was taken into custody, and Pointer said the suspect was placed in the backseat of his patrol car. GPD Officer Paul Hathaway, who arrived to assist, asked the passenger, Denika Stanley, to step out of the car. Pointer said Hathaway advised him that the vehicle smelled of marijuana.
Pointer said a check of Stanley showed no warrants, and she was released from the scene.
The officer said a search of the vehicle on the driver’s side located more marijuana in the console, and Hathaway located a backpack in the passenger floorboard. Items found inside the backpack were a quantity of clear baggies, digital scale, marijuana, cocaine and a large bag of suspected MDMA/Ecstasy pills of various colors.
Pointer said a further search of the vehicle found a loaded Smith and Wesson handgun under the passenger’s seat. He said all the evidence was gathered and placed in his patrol car. Whitehead was transported to the Jones County Law Enforcement Center, and warrants secured for his arrest.
In a supplemental narrative, the officer said in further investigation into the case and evidence involving Stanley, he determined that she was also in possession of the narcotics, and the firearm was within her reach.
Pointer said she would be charged with possession of marijuana less than ounce, possession of cocaine, trafficking ecstasy, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, open container, drug-related objects and possession of ecstasy.
He said warrants were secured for her arrest.
