Traffic stop in State Park leads to drug arrest

A Ranger at David Crockett State Park requested assistance from the Lawrenceburg Police Department last weekend when a traffic stop turned into a drug investigation.

A police officer was dispatched to the park shortly after 5:30 p.m. Sunday to meet the Ranger at Shelter #6. The Ranger reported that he had initiated a traffic stop for speeding, but had quickly noticed the odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle.

The police officer reports that he also detected a strong odor of green marijuana as he approached the vehicle. The driver, nineteen year old Jotham Samuel Saunders of 357 Jonestown Road, Summertown allegedly admitted that he had some contraband in a backpack inside of his vehicle.

The officer reports that he checked the backpack in the rear seat and found that it contained drugs and various contraband. Seized were the backpack, which held marijuana seeds, two grinders bearing marijuana residue, a clear glass jar that contained marijuana, a green glass jar that bore marijuana residue, rolling papers, a set of digital scales, and a plastic bag holding a small round black ball “believed to be hashish.” The officer also found a plastic bag of marijuana concealed beneath the driver’s seat.

Reports indicate that Saunders admitted he “had been selling marijuana for someone while in the park.” Due to the nature of the crime Saunders’ 2005 Toyota Prius was seized along with his iPhone 6 and $195 in cash believed to be proceeds of illegal drug sales.

Saunders was issued a speeding citation. Evidence in the drug case will be presented to a Lawrence County Grand Jury as officers seek indictments on charges of possession of Schedule VI drugs for the purpose of resale, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possibly additional charges.