Police seek search warrant for drug suspects’ cellphones
Investigators want to take a look at what is on two cellphones and an electronic tablet seized in August from a car where a large amount of methamphetamine was allegedly found, according to records.
Michael Byars, 43, was driving when Texarkana, Ark., police pulled over a Hyundai Elantra with Michigan plates for a traffic violation shortly after it pulled out of
a motel Aug. 30. The hotel is known to police as a common site for drug use and trafficking, according to a search warrant affidavit used to create the following account.
Byars allegedly showed officers a Nevada driver’s license at the time of the stop. Officers interviewed Byars and his passenger, Roman Young, 38, separately.
Byars allegedly told officers he was in town visiting family and that Young was a family friend he didn’t know well. Byars allegedly claimed he was giving Young a ride to a residence on 35th Street. Young allegedly told officers he has known Byars for “quite some time” and that he was getting a ride to a residence on Price Lane. Young was arrested on an outstanding misdemeanor warrant.
Officers used a police canine to determine if there might be drugs in the car after Byars allegedly refused to give consent for a search. The dog allegedly alerted police to the presence of drugs, and the car was searched. Officers allegedly found an Advil box in the car in a bag containing approximately 15 grams of suspected methamphetamine.
Upon the discovery of the suspected meth, Byars allegedly ran but was taken into custody moments later.
While searching the car, officers collected two cellphones that had allegedly been receiving constant calls and text messages and an electronic tablet.
The search warrant was filed Tuesday.
Both Byars and Young were formally charged Sept. 20 by Miller County prosecutors with possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine. The offense is punishable by five to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $15,000.
Both men are being held in the Miller County jail.