HS man arrested with 14 grams of meth in allegedly stolen car
A Hot Springs man was arrested Tuesday evening after Garland County sheriff’s deputies reportedly located about 14 grams of meth and drug paraphernalia inside an allegedly stolen vehicle.
William Blake Almond, 33, who lists a Malvern Avenue address, was taken into custody around 8 p.m. in the 4900 block of Malvern and charged with felony counts of possession of meth with purpose to deliver, punishable by up to 30 years in prison, possession of drug paraphernalia, punishable by up to 20 years, and theft by receiving, punishable by up to 10 years, and a misdemeanor count of second-degree criminal mischief.
He was being held on a zero bond and appeared in Garland County District Court on Wednesday.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Deputy John Crow reportedly observed a white Chevrolet Tahoe with fictitious tags pull into the drive of County Line Mini Storage, 4975 Malvern Ave., and stop at the locked gate. Crow reportedly noticed the vehicle matched the description of a vehicle reported stolen earlier in the day.
Crow made contact with the driver, identified as Almond, and a computer check revealed he had active warrants for his arrest.
When asked who the vehicle belonged to, Almond allegedly stated he purchased it last week. After confirming the vehicle was in fact stolen, Almond and a passenger were detained at the scene and Crow conducted a search of the vehicle.
Crow allegedly located a glass pipe containing a white substance, a bag containing about 14 grams of meth, and a set of digital scales. In the back seat, Crow allegedly located a MAVIC drone and a bag containing GoPro accessories, which were allegedly reported stolen earlier that day.
As Crow was adjusting Almond’s handcuffs, the vehicle’s owner arrived on scene and Almond reportedly looked at him and said, “I didn’t know it was your truck, I’m sorry.” The vehicle’s owner advised that several of the items located inside the vehicle did not belong to either him or his wife.
Almond also reportedly stated the passenger did not know the vehicle, or the property within it, were stolen and that the drugs and drug paraphernalia were his so the passenger was released from custody.
While at the Garland County Detention Center, Almond was advised of his charges. When he was informed of the theft by receiving charge, he allegedly stated, “Is that not joy riding anymore? The keys were in it.”