The following information is gleaned from incident reports, which are public record, from the Jones County Sheriff’s Department and Gray Police Department March 8-12, 2023.
March 8
Taking the Blame
Inv. Hall had Sgt. Carr conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle that had the tag improperly displayed. Carr made contact with the driver and two other male passengers in the vehicle and obtained their information. Inv. Hall advised Carr that the front seat passenger had an outstanding warrant out of Bibb County for failure to appear on traffic offenses. Carr advised Hall that the vehicle smelled like marijuana. All subjects were asked to exit the vehicle and the front seat passenger was placed in handcuffs for his outstanding warrant. Carr advised the driver that due to the smell of the marijuana the vehicle was going to be searched. At that time, the male subject that was in the backseat of the vehicle advised that there was over an ounce of marijuana in a book bag inside the vehicle. He told the Sgt. it was his and he did not want anyone else to get in trouble for it. Inside the book bag they found four separate bags of marijuana, a set of digital scales, and more empty sandwich bags. Based on Inv.
Hall’s training and experience, it was thought that the subject was distributing marijuana.
Dep. Johnson arrived on scene and at that time he transported the front seat passenger to the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office due to the outstanding warrant. The backseat passenger, the one that admitted the marijuana belonged to him, was transported to the Jones County Sheriff’s Office and Inv.
Hall secured an arrest warrant for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.
March 10
The Slow Poke Law will get ya Officer James was on patrol on Gray Hwy. when he observed a vehicle traveling in the fast lane at a very slow rate of speed. The vehicle in question was not getting over for faster traffic and was failing to maintain their lane. At that time, James initiated his emergency lights and conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle. When the officer made contact with the driver and two passengers in the vehicle, he could smell a strong odor of marijuana.
James asked the driver how much marijuana they had, and the driver told the officer they were just about to smoke. The front seat passenger stated that he had just thrown a small blunt out the window when they were pulled over.
Officer Hathaway was called to assist on the scene. While James was waiting on a backup unit to assist, the driver told the officer he did have a little bit of marijuana in the vehicle and handed James a bag of suspected marijuana. Hathaway arrive on scene and the occupants were asked to exit the vehicle.
When James ran the driver’s information through the GCIC/ NCIC system, it came back to show he had a warrant out of Baldwin County and the officer advised the male subject he would be under arrest at that time. The passengers were released from the scene and the driver was transported to the Jones County LEC where he was giving a verbal warning for failure to maintain lane and citations for possession of marijuana less than ounce and impeding the flow of traffic (Slow Poke Law), then turned over to jail staff for booking.
March 11
On the way to Rehab Dep. Harden was participating in a safety check in the area of Hwy. 49 when a female came through the check point and was unable to locate her driver’s license. Harden had the female pull off to the side of the road to look for it.
While speaking to the female driver, Harden noticed what appeared to be items used for narcotics in the door of her vehicle and what appeared to be a scale at her feet. At this time, Harden asked the female subject to exit the vehicle. The driver let out a deep sigh as she was getting out of the vehicle and told Harden that she was actually on her way to rehab for drug use. Harden asked her if there were any drugs in the vehicle and she advised yes. The deputy placed the female in handcuffs and had Inv. Murphy to stand by with the female as he searched the vehicle. Harden located two small bags that appeared to contain Heroin, and one small bag of methamphetamine.
The female was placed under arrest for possession of Heroin, possession of methamphetamine and driving on suspended license. The subject was detained in the holding unit until she could be transported to the Jones County LEC for processing.
Being non-compliant
Officer James was dispatched to the Gray Bypass and Gray Hwy. in reference to a driver slumped over the wheel in a vehicle at the red light. Upon arrival, James approached the vehicle and observed a male subject slumped over behind the wheel. James knocked on the driver’s window several times to try and wake him up. All of a sudden, the driver looked up at the officer then proceeded to drive off.
James gave a loud verbal command to stop, but the driver continued on into the intersection. James returned to his patrol car and initiated his emergency lights and siren to pursue the vehicle as he was afraid the male may have a medical issue or be under the influence. The driver continued to elude the officer until finally coming to a stop in a driveway. James immediately exited his patrol car with his service weapon drawn and gave a loud verbal command to the subject to show him his hands and get out of the vehicle. Officer Hathaway arrived on scene and pulled his patrol car to the driver’s side door of the subject’s car so he could not evade the officers.
James then started walking towards the subject’s vehicle again giving loud verbal commands to show his hands. James holstered his weapon and again advised the subject to exit the vehicle, but the male failed to comply with the officer’s request. James then took the driver to the ground using a takedown method to get him out of the vehicle. Officer Hathaway had to assist James in getting the subject secured in handcuffs. At one point, the male subject was not complying with any request the officer was giving him. After the subject was secured, a search of the vehicle was conducted, and James found a small clear bag of marijuana located in the front pocket of a bookbag in the passenger seat. The male was transported to the Jones County LEC where he was issued citations for possession of marijuana and fleeing and attempting to elude, then turned over to jail staff for processing.
