Madison County Sheriff Ben Stewart reports that on Thursday, April 7 at 11:21 a.m., Deputy Jared Dewey stopped a vehicle on U.S. Highway 19 near the intersection of SW Overstreet for unlawful speeding.
Deputy Dewey made contact with the driver and passenger to explain the reason for the traffic stop. While taking enforcement action, Deputy Dewey detected the odor of ‘green’ marijuana, emanating from inside the vehicle. The driver stated that marijuana had been smoked in the vehicle the previous night. Deputy Dewey explained that the odor was that of green marijuana and that a probable cause search would be conducted. The passenger (identified as Tony Cornelius Jackson, Jr., of Perry) again stated that marijuana had been smoked in the vehicle the night before and the odor was probably coming from him.
Once again, Deputy Dewey explained that the odor was not coming from burnt or smoked marijuana but was, in fact, coming from green marijuana. Deputy Dewey instructed Jackson to step out of the vehicle. Jackson then freely told Deputy Dewey that there was some “Mid” in his bag on the back seat. “Mid” is a recognized slang term for mid-grade quality marijuana. Jackson stated that his bag contained two ounces wrapped in his shirt.
Deputy Dewey conducted a search of the bag belonging to Jackson and found the bag contained approximately four ounces of marijuana packaged in two separate plastic bags. During a further search of the bag, Deputy Dewey located a loaded Lorcin .380-caliber handgun concealed within a shoe. Jackson denied knowing the handgun was inside of his bag or shoe, but later spontaneously stated that he kept the pistol for protection. Jackson was arrested without incident.
Jackson was arrested on the charges of use/display/carrying of a firearm during a felony, possession of marijuana more than 20 grams and possession of drug paraphernalia.