Local man arrested with alleged drugs, stolen gun after traffic stop on Monday
A local man was arrested on multiple felony charges after he was allegedly found with drugs and a stolen gun in his possession after a traffic stop early Monday.
Willie Manech Wesley, 34, who lists a West Maurice Street address, was taken into custody shortly after 3 a.m. and charged with simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms, punishable by up to life in prison, possession of meth with purpose to deliver, punishable by up to 10 years in prison, theft by receiving of a firearm, punishable by up to six years, a misdemeanor count of possession of marijuana with purpose to deliver and three felony and misdemeanor counts of possession of drug paraphernalia.
Wesley, who was also cited for driving a vehicle with expired registration and driving on a suspended license, was being held on zero bond and is set to appear today in Garland County District Court.
According to the probable cause affidavit, shortly before 3 a.m., Hot Springs police Officer
1st Class Zachary Brown was on patrol in the
1600 block of Albert Pike when he spotted a white Toyota Camry being driven “well below” the speed limit and checked the license plate which showed it was expired, but displaying a fictitious tab.
He stopped the vehicle in the 500 block of Summer Street and made contact with the driver, identified as Wesley, a male passenger, identified as Nikeehia Bishop McGowan, 24, who lists a Trivista Right address, and a female passenger.
Brown said he noted a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle and a computer check revealed Wesley had a warrant out of Pine Bluff and McGowan had three failure to appear warrants so both were taken into custody. While he was being escorted to a unit, Wesley allegedly stated there were drugs and a firearm in the car.
The vehicle was searched and in a console under the radio, officers reportedly found a pill bottle with two baggies of what later tested positive for meth, a total of 1.4 gram, and a small glass jar with 1.8 grams of marijuana. A grinder and a glass pipe, both with marijuana residue, were found along with another wooden pipe, digital scales and a metal container with marijuana seeds.
In the center console, a Smith and Wesson 9-mm pistol was located and a computer check revealed it had been reported stolen out of Pine Bluff. A black velvet bag was near the gun which contained numerous 9-mm bullets.