Long County authorities believe they intercepted drugs and cellphones that two women were trying to get to prisoners at the Long State Prison.
A report from the Sheriff’s Office says Deputy Keldon McCrary made a traffic stop about 11:30 p.m. March 18 near the prison. During the investigation he came to suspect the driver, Patricia McBee, 37, of Mershon was under the influence of some drug. He also reported seeing a pill bottle on the driver’s seat.
Sgt. David Horton, who came to assist with the stop, performed field sobriety tests on McBee.
Georgia State Patrol Trooper G. Walters also stopped to assist and led a K-9 as it sniffed the vehicle for drugs. Officers say they found a T-shirt knotted and wrapped around two bottles that held rolling papers, cellphones and chargers. They also found a crystal substance believed to be methamphetamine in one of the phones.
The report said, “Department of Corrections investigators were notified due to the packaging of the contraband being consistent with the unlawful and concealed delivery of illicit products (drugs and cellphones) to inmates.”
September Nicole Cox, 29, of Blackshear, who was in the vehicle, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine. McBee was charged with DUI.
As the investigation continued, officers learned Cox was on probation for an earlier felony methamphetamine conviction. Her probation officer was notified.
Weapons charges
Monday, McCrary made a felony arrest that resulted from the identification of a convicted felon in possession of a stolen revolver.
The deputy stopped a vehicle on Highway 84, near the Thicket community. During the investigation, McCrary placed La’Darius D. Taylor, 22, of a Moultrie address, under arrest for driving with a suspended license.
While McCrary and Deputy Jake Durham inventoried the vehicle, Taylor began to struggle and distract the deputies. During the search, McCrary saw a revolver in the center console.
It was discovered that Taylor was a convicted felon. When the revolver was checked through the Georgia Crime Information Center, it was reported stolen out of Colquitt County.
The Colquitt County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the revolver had been stolen in 2010.
Taylor has been charged with theft by receiving stolen property and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, among other violations.