SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT
A routine traffic stop for a busted windshield resulted in the arrest of two individuals on drug and firearm charges.
Leander James Hammonds, 52, was arrested Oct. 5 and charged with possession of methamphetamine, windshield requirements and the possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
Wendy Oliva Kinslow, 48, was also arrested Oct. 5 and charged with possession of methamphetamine.
A report of the arrests by Jones County Sheriff’s Deputy Joseph Caldwell states he conducted the traffic stop at 1 p.m. Oct. 5 on a Chevrolet Blazer for a busted windshield. The traffic stop was on West Clinton Street, in front of a local restaurant.
Caldwell said the Blazer pulled into the parking lot of the restaurant and he made contact with Hammonds, the driver. The deputy said he identified himself and told the driver the reason for the stop. Then he asked Hammonds where he was going.
The deputy said Hammonds said he was taking the passenger, Kinslow, to a job interview. Caldwell said the driver had said where he picked up Kinslow, which was a location he knew was commonplace for the sale and distribution of drugs.
The deputy said he asked Hammonds if there was anything illegal in his vehicle, and he said the only thing in the car was his shotgun and rifle. Caldwell then asked for and received consent to search the vehicle.
He said he had Hammonds and Kinslow stand in front of the car while he searched it with the assistance of JCSO Deputy Kasey Carr, who had arrived on at the scene.
Caldwell said he located a loaded Mossberg Maverick 12-gauge shotgun and an unloaded Savage .270 rifle in a camouflage case. He continued to search and found a clear plastic bag containing a crystalized substance believed to be methamphetamine.
At that time, Hammonds and Kinslow were placed in handcuffs and read their rights. The deputy said he spoke to the suspects separately, beginning with Kinslow. She said Hammonds had passed the bag of meth to her when they were stopped, and she stuck it in the front passenger door.
Caldwell then spoke to Hammonds, who stated the meth was not his. He said he believed it was left in his car by a friend who was with him last night.
The deputy said he continued the search of the vehicle and found a leather cigarette case on the front passenger floorboard. Inside the cigarette case, he found an additional bag of suspected meth.
Caldwell said Kinslow claimed that someone had planted the meth in her cigarette case. The deputy said Capt. Travis Douglas arrived to transport Kinslow to the Jones County Law Enforcement Center, and Carr transported Hammonds.
The firearms and meth were placed into evidence, and Caldwell obtained warrants charging the suspects.
