GRAY POLICE DEPARTMENT
Lapsed insurance and coming to court smelling like marijuana combined to draw unwanted attention from law enforcement.
The resulting Nov. 2 traffic stop ended with the arrest of Kenneth Dewayne Graves, 26, on charges of possession, manufacture, distribution of marijuana, possession of a firearm or knife during commission of or attempt to commit certain felonies.
Jessica Werner, 28, was also arrested and charged with possession and sale of marijuana.
Reports of the arrests began with Gray Police Department Capt. Eric Maynard, who was working security Nov. 2 at Gray Municipal Court.
While he was working the metal detector as people entered the courtroom, Maynard said he noticed a strong odor of marijuana from Werner. He said while court was going on, he contacted GPD Lt. Thaxton Pennamon, who was working patrol, and asked him to run the plate on the vehicle in which Werner arrived. He said he explained the reason for inquiry, and Pennamon responded that the vehicle was showing no insurance.
Pennamon said he performed a traffic stop on the 2017 Nissan Altima when it left the parking lot. The officer said he made contact with the driver, Graves, and asked for his license. It turned out the driver’s license was suspended.
When Pennamon asked about the strong smell of marijuana, Graves gave him a small amount of marijuana. The insurance on the car, which belonged to Werner, had also been canceled.
GPD Officer Josh Josey was called to the scene to assist Pennamon and removed a firearm from Graves.
Werner was in possession of more than $600 in cash. Josey said the driver and passenger were taken into custody, and he began an inventory of the car. He said he found a black/ grey drawstring style bag in the trunk containing a large plastic bag that had been cut open with four large quantities of a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana. The estimated weight of the marijuana was four ounces. In addition to the marijuana, 25 clear individual empty bags were found along with a magazine for a Taurus .40 caliber handgun.
Josey said the items were taken into evidence as were the phones of the suspects. The officer said Graves and Werner were transported to the Jones County Law Enforcement Center and warrants secured for their charges.
