The following information is gleaned from incident reports, which are public record, from the Jones County Sheriff’s Department and Gray Police Department Nov. 15-20, 2023.
Nov. 15
Mushrooms found in a jar
Officer Joiner was monitoring traffic on West Clinton Street at Lite-N-Tie when he routinely ran a GA tag to check for valid registration through the GCIC system. It came back to show that the vehicle had expired registration. Joiner proceeded to get behind the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. Upon making contact with the female driver and male passenger, Joiner immediately smelled the odor of green marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. Joiner asked the male and female when the last time they smoked was and the male advised the officer that he had some with them. Joiner had both the male and female exit the vehicle and called Lt. Hunnicutt to assist on the scene. When Hunnicutt arrived, Joiner began a probable cause search of the vehicle. On the front seat passenger side, Joiner found several rolling cones, one of which was partially smoked and another one contained a green leafy substance inside it. On the center console, under the radio unit, Joiner found a black grinder that also contained green leafy substance. Upon continuing his search Joiner then found in the floor area, a bag that contained more green leafy substance. Lt. Hunnicutt began assisting with the search of the vehicle and found a clear glass jar containing psilocybin (mushrooms). The female driver claimed the psilocybin (mushrooms) and advised the officer the passenger did not know about them. Both the male and female were placed in handcuffs at that time.
Lt. Hunnicutt transported both subjects to the Jones County LEC. Joiner secured a warrant for the female driver for possession of schedule I controlled substance and issued a citation for expired registration. The male was issued a citation for possession of marijuana less than one ounce.
Nov. 17
Burglary
Deputy Marcum was dispatched to a residence in reference to a burglary.
Marcum made contact with the homeowner, who stated that when he returned home, he witnessed a family member run out the back door of the house.
The back door was kicked off the frame. The homeowner searched his house and found money missing. He showed Marcum the damage and the mess that was left by the offender. The deputy is going to secure warrants for the offender.
Nov. 19
DUI
While patrolling Highway 49, Deputy Mattox noticed a vehicle with a piece of paper that stated “tag applied for Oct.
19.” Mattox initiated a traffic stop. While speaking with the driver, Mattox noticed a very strong odor of alcohol emitting from her. The driver also had bloodshot and watery eyes and her speech was very slow and slurred. The driver was given field sobriety tests and the preliminary breath test indicated positive for alcohol with a .197 result. A search of the vehicle revealed an empty bottle of tequila. The driver was placed under arrest for driving under the influence/less safe.
She was transported to the Jones County LEC and turned over to jail personnel.
Nov. 20
Wrong area at wrong time
Deputy Elrod was sitting stationary at a local school when a vehicle approached from behind him. It was unusual for someone to be coming from the school at that hour of night.
The time was approximately 10:58 p.m. Elrod ran the tag number and the result came back indicating that the registered owner was wanted.
He recognized that the owner was sitting in the passenger seat when the vehicle passed.
The deputy made a traffic stop and made contact with the driver. The driver stated that he did not have a license and that it was suspended. Elrod confirmed the identity of the driver and passenger. The driver had active warrants from Bibb and Houston County, and South Carolina. The passenger/ registered owner had warrants from Jones and Houston County. The driver stated that there may be some marijuana in the vehicle. After placing the driver and passenger in handcuffs and securing them, Elrod conducted an inventory search of the vehicle. During the search, the deputy located a bag of marijuana sitting on top of a cup holder ash tray in the center console. The marijuana was secured in an evidence bag. The vehicle was towed and the driver and passenger were transported to the Jones County LEC for booking. The driver was issued a citation for driving on a suspended license and possession less than one ounce of marijuana. The passenger was booked for her outstanding warrant from Jones County and she was issued the bench warrant that had been issued for her arrest. A hold was placed on the driver for his outstanding warrants.
