A Jones County Grand Jury indicted a Sparta man on multiple charges, including trafficking, that were the result of a March safety check.
Terrance Andre Strickland was indicted April 7 on charges of crossing guard lines with drugs, possession of marijuana less than ounce and misdemeanor obstruction of officer in addition to the charge of trafficking methamphetamine.
Strickland, 46, was arrested March 13 by Jones County Sheriff’s deputy Lt. Travis Walker. The safety check that led to the arrest was on Highway 49.
In his report of the arrest, Walker said while speaking with the driver, he noticed a box of bullets by the gear shift and asked if he had a gun. Strickland said no, but his behavior raised questions that something was going on. Walker said the driver kept looking straight ahead and had only lowered his window halfway when speaking with him.
The lieutenant said when he asked the driver for his identification, he held up a debit card.
Walker said Strickland at first refused when he was asked to exit the truck. When conducting a search for weapons, the officer said Strickland put his hands down, appearing to be reaching for something.
Walker said he immediately took the subject to the ground and attempted to secure his hands. Strickland resisted but was secured with the help of other deputies. A bag of methamphetamine was located inside of Strickland’s hoodie jacket pocket.
The driver was placed in the backseat of another patrol car and transported to the Jones County Law Enforcement Center.
Walker said more methamphetamine was found during a routine check of the backseat where Strickland was seated during his transport. Some of the meth was in a plastic bag, and more was found in the crack of the seat. He said a video of the trip to the LEC showed Strickland reaching into his pants and appearing to stuff something behind his back.
A report from the JCSO shows Strickland was released on a $100,000 bond March 19.
