A Claxton man riding in a car stopped by a Long County police officer last week in Ludowici for not having headlights on eventually was arrested for drug possession.
According Officer Ramond Govero, at around 11:45 p.m. March 13, he saw a 1992 Buick Riviera driving on McDonald Street without lights on. The officer said he pulled the vehicle over and, upon speaking to the driver, smelled what he believed to be alcohol on the man’s breath.
Govero said the driver, Tony Soto, 48, of Hinesville, agreed to take a sobriety test, which came up positive. The officer said he asked Soto about the passenger in his car. The driver said the passenger’s name was Michael, but he didn’t know his last name. Soto said he was just giving Michael a ride to Glennville.
According to the officer, the passenger said his name was Tony Johnson, and he claimed to have known Soto all his life. Govero said Johnson, 29, of Claxton, began to act nervous before he fled on foot to the Long County Courthouse parking lot.
The officer said he chased Johnson and ordered him to stop, but he refused. Govero said he threatened to Taser the suspect unless he stopped, but Johnson kept running. The officer Tasered the man and he fell to the ground.
Govero searched Johnson and said he found a plastic bag of what appeared to be marijuana and $1,125. Johnson was charged with possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute and obstruction of a law enforcement officer. Soto was charged with driving under the influence and headlights required one-half hour before sunset. Both men were arrested and taken to the Ludowici Jail.
According Officer Ramond Govero, at around 11:45 p.m. March 13, he saw a 1992 Buick Riviera driving on McDonald Street without lights on. The officer said he pulled the vehicle over and, upon speaking to the driver, smelled what he believed to be alcohol on the man’s breath.
Govero said the driver, Tony Soto, 48, of Hinesville, agreed to take a sobriety test, which came up positive. The officer said he asked Soto about the passenger in his car. The driver said the passenger’s name was Michael, but he didn’t know his last name. Soto said he was just giving Michael a ride to Glennville.
According to the officer, the passenger said his name was Tony Johnson, and he claimed to have known Soto all his life. Govero said Johnson, 29, of Claxton, began to act nervous before he fled on foot to the Long County Courthouse parking lot.
The officer said he chased Johnson and ordered him to stop, but he refused. Govero said he threatened to Taser the suspect unless he stopped, but Johnson kept running. The officer Tasered the man and he fell to the ground.
Govero searched Johnson and said he found a plastic bag of what appeared to be marijuana and $1,125. Johnson was charged with possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute and obstruction of a law enforcement officer. Soto was charged with driving under the influence and headlights required one-half hour before sunset. Both men were arrested and taken to the Ludowici Jail.