The following information is gleaned from incident reports, which are public record, from the Jones County Sheriff’s Department and Gray Police Department July 17-20, 2023.
July 17
No permit to drive
Deputy Sullivan was monitoring traffic in the area of Highway 49 when he observed a vehicle with a license plate that he was unable to see clearly. When Sullivan got behind the vehicle, the license plate was still hard to see even at a closer range. At that time Sullivan initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle. Upon closer observation, the deputy noticed that there were indeed tag lights on the vehicle, however they were extremely dim.
The deputy made contact with the driver and explained the reason for the stop. The male driver advised Sullivan that he had been meaning to get new tag lights, however he had not gotten around to it. Sullivan obtained the male’s driver’s license and ran it through dispatch. Dispatch advised the deputy that the driver’s license was suspended. The male told the deputy that he was aware of the suspension, but he had a work permit to drive. Sullivan checked the work permit with dispatch, and they advised there was no work permit to drive. Sullivan advised the male driver that since he was unable to verify the work permit existed, the male was going to be arrested for driving on a suspended license. The male subject was transported to the Jones County LEC and issued citations for tag light requirements and suspended license.
July 20
The smell of green marijuana and expired registration Officer Joiner was monitoring traffic on Gray Hwy. and the Gray Bypass when he ran a GA tag to verify registration and insurance through the GCIC system. The search came back to show the vehicle had suspended and expired registration and no insurance.
At that time, Joiner imitated a traffic stop on the vehicle. When the Officer made contact with the driver and female passenger, he observed the odor of green marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. Joiner called for an additional unit to the scene. Joiner had both the male driver and female passenger exit the vehicle at that time. Lt. Lovick arrived on scene and stood by with the male and female while Joiner conducted a probable cause search on the vehicle. The male then told Joiner there was marijuana in the center console in the vehicle. When the Officer checked the console, he found two marijuana roaches, and one joint/blunt marijuana cigarette. No further contraband was found. The driver was issued citations for expired registration, suspended registration and no insurance at the time of the stop.
The female claimed the marijuana was hers but was not charged with it and was able to obtain insurance during the traffic stop. Both the male and female were released from the scene.
Meth and marijuana
Lt. Hunnicutt was patrolling the area of West Clinton St. and Bill Conn Pkwy. When a vehicle passed by him, and the strong smell of marijuana was noticed coming from the vehicle. At that time, no other vehicle was present for the smell to be coming from.
Hunnicutt followed behind the vehicle, and he continued to smell the odor of marijuana. The Lt. then activated his blue lights and the driver slowed down but did not stop. Hunnicutt then activated his siren and the driver continued to drive. Finally, the subject stopped, and the Lt. immediately made contact with the male driver and female passenger and could still smell the odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle.
The male driver advised Hunnicutt that he was smoking marijuana.
The Lt. had both the male driver and female passenger exit the vehicle at that time. Hunnicutt began searching the vehicle and found a metal grinder in the console along with a black digital scale. The Lt. then searched the female’s purse and found a black baggie containing a substance believed to be marijuana, a hand rolled marijuana cigar and two suspected ecstasy pills, one blue and one gray and another metal grinder. The pills were in the bottom of the purse and were not in any type of packaging or container. The driver then told Hunnicutt the marijuana and the ecstasy belonged to him. At that time the male driver was placed under arrest and upon further investigation Hunnicutt found the driver also had a suspended license. The female passenger was released along with the vehicle.
The male was transported to the Jones County LEC and turned over to jail staff for booking.
Hunnicutt made contact with a Magistrate Judge and a warrant was issued for the male for possession of methamphetamine (the main ingredient in ecstasy).
Also, the driver was charged with possession of marijuana less than 1 oz. and driving while license suspended
