By Jeremy Pittari, Item Staff Writer
The Picayune Item
PEARL RIVER COUNTY —
Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department personnel Investigated a couple of cases, one a routine traffic stop and the other alleged gambling, that also led to drug charges being filed.
Maj. Donnie Saucier said the traffic stop occurred on Feb. 12, when investigators with the department conducted a stop for speeding near Willow Bend Trailer Park on U.S. Highway 11. As investigators approached the vehicle, a bottle of liquor was seen in plain sight, prompting a search, Saucier said.
In the search, investigators found a used syringe and a pipe that appeared to have been used to inject and smoke methamphetamine respectively, Saucier said. A .380-caliber handgun was found under the console of the vehicle as well, Saucier said.
The discoveries led to the arrest of the occupants of the vehicle, 19-year-old Brandon Smith and 33-year-old Robert McMillan, both of 1801 U.S. Hwy. 11 South, lot 108. Smith was charged with speeding, possession of bonded whiskey and possession of paraphernalia while McMillan was charged with possession of bonded whiskey, possession of paraphernalia and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, Saucier said.
The second case occurred on the same day as a narcotics investigator was driving down North Monroe Avenue and observed what appeared to be illegal gambling using dice outside of a laundromat, Saucier said. As the investigator got out of his vehicle to check it out, he saw a bag of what appeared to be marijuana, Saucier said. After the investigator identified himself verbally and by displaying his badge, one of the three men ran towards the investigator, knocking him down and allowing all three to flee, Saucier said.
Sheriff’s Department detectives and officers with the Picayune Police Department gave chase, Saucier said. One of the suspects, 29-year-old Donald Quinn of 824 E. Canal St., was caught by the investigator on scene, while a second detective caught another suspect, 22-year-old Joshua Hart of 904 E. Eighth St., Saucier said. The third suspect is still at large, Saucier said.
A search of Hart’s vehicle, still parked at the business, found crack cocaine and marijuana under the floor mat, leading him to be charged with felony possession of a controlled substance for the crack cocaine, possession of marijuana, gambling and resisting arrest by fleeing, Saucier said. Quinn was charged with possession of marijuana, gambling and resisting arrest by fleeing, Saucier said.
Hart’s vehicle was seized due to the discovery of narcotics inside, Saucier said.
Saucier said he would like to thank the Picayune Police Department for its assistance in the case.
