Sheriff’s files
STEVEN MROSS
The Sentinel-Record staff
A traffic stop on an allegedly speeding vehicle led to the arrest of a Mountain Pine woman on a drug charge early Monday.
Ryiesha K. Howard, 22, who lists an address of 201 Malvern St., was taken into custody around 12:15 a.m. and charged with possession of a controlled substance, a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and/or a $1,000 fine.
According to reports, shortly after midnight, Garland County Sheriff’s Department deputy Matthew Wharton got behind a silver 2002 Hyundai Elantra in the 100 block of Mountain Pine Road and noted the vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed and weaving between traffic lanes.
Once he caught up to the car, he paced its speed at 70 mph in a 45 mph zone, so he stopped it at the intersection of Mountain Pine Road and McCurtain Street.
After making contact with the driver, identified as Howard, Wharton noticed a strong smell of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle and asked her if she had anything illegal.
Howard stated she did not and gave consent to search the car. During the search, the deputy located a small baggie containing 2.2 grams of suspected marijuana in her purse, which was on the front seat.
In addition to the drug charge, Howard was also cited for speeding. She was released about three hours later on $1,000 bond and is set to appear June 5 in Garland County District Court.
