An expired tag led to a traffic stop that ended in the driver’s arrest and a 10-year sentence for violations discovered in a probable cause search.
Tommy Williams was in Jones County Superior Court June 25 to enter guilty pleas to theft by receiving stolen property and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He was sentenced to a total of 10 years with the first year to be served in confinement. The remainder of the sentence may be served on probation.
Williams received credit for time served from his April 5 arrest.
A report of the arrest by Gray Police Officer Michael Holloway states he was sitting stationary at the intersection of Gray Highway and the Gray Bypass when he received and alert about a red BMW with an expired tag.
A check of the tag indicted it had expired March 5. Holloway initiated a traffic stop and spoke with Williams, the driver.
During conversation the officer said he smelled the odor of marijuana coming from the inside of the vehicle. The driver was asked to step out of the car for questioning. Holloway asked Williams if there was marijuana in the vehicle. The driver stated that he had smoked marijuana earlier.
Williams was informed by Holloway that he was going to perform a probable cause search due to the smell of marijuana.
The officer said Williams attempted to go back to the driver’s side door, but he stopped him.
Holloway said he then asked if there were any guns in the car, and the driver again tried to walk back to the driver’s side door. Due to Williams’ nervous behavior, the officer said he was handcuffed and placed in the officer’s vehicle.
The search of the car produced an unholstered Ruger 5.7x28mm between the driver’s seat and console. A glass container containing suspected marijuana was found under the driver’s seat, a cylinder of nitrous oxide on the passenger’s seat and eight rounds of 5.7 ammo in the trunk area of the vehicle.
Holloway said a check of the firearm revealed it was stolen, and the driver was issued a Miranda warning. The officer said the driver denied that the gun was stolen but stated he had smoked marijuana 15-20 minutes before driving.
The evidence was documented, and Williams was transported to the Jones County Law Enforcement Center.
