Traffic Stop Results in Drug Arrests

A traffic stop for a driver not wearing a seat belt on the Fourth of July resulted in the arrest of two area men on drug charges.

The full story below from KTLO:

Thirty-four-year-old Jeremiah Ringler of Hollister and 24-year-old James Wilson of Harrison are currently free on bond.

According to the probable cause affidavit, a Harrison officer observed a vehicle pass through the intersection of North Willow Street and West Stephenson Avenue, and the driver was not wearing a seat belt. After a traffic stop was conducted on West Central Avenue, the driver, identified as Ringler, reportedly admitted to having “six or so” grams of marijuana in the vehicle.

The officer and his K9 searched the vehicle, and the dog detected an odor from the passenger side. The officer located a backpack in the rear passenger compartment where Ringler’s passenger, identified as Wilson was sitting. Wilson reportedly admitted to owning the backpack. The officer also located a cut soda and a rubber glove filled with “hair types of several colors.” In addition, a black knife case containing three syringes was reportedly found in the floorboard, and one syringe had a hair tie similar to one located in the backpack. A glass vile on the bottom of the knife case reportedly contained a small amount of a crystal-like substance consistent with methamphetamine.

More items were found under the driver’s seat. The officer says he located two mylar bags containing several cellophane baggies of a green leafy substance consistent with marijuana. More baggies and two smoking pipes with burnt residue were reportedly located in the center console.

In addition, a .45 caliber handgun with seven rounds was located in the glove box. In the back of vehicle, authorities reportedly found a scale with marijuana residue, sandwich bags with marijuana shake for packaging more pre-packaged baggies and a sack full of additional marijuana.

Ringler is charged with a Class Y felony count of simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms. Class Y is the most serious classification of crime in Arkansas not punishable by death. Ringler is also charged with a felony count of possession of a Schedule VI substance with purpose to deliver and misdemeanor counts of possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while license is suspended and no seat belt. His bond was set at $25,000.

Wilson was charged with felony counts of possession of a Schedule I or II substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. His bond was set at $4,000.