A Garland County sheriff's deputy found an ink pen cap allegedly containing cocaine in the pocket of a reportedly drunken driver Saturday morning, leading to a felony drug charge.
Brightson Pierre Hughes, 31, who listed a 113 Marble St. address, was charged with DWI and possession of a controlled substance, cocaine, a felony punishable by up to six years in prison. He remained in custody Monday in lieu of bonds totaling $3,500 and is due in Garland County District Court March 10.
Around 6 a.m., Deputy Matthew Wharton was traveling south on Higdon Ferry Road. As he approached Franklin Street, he noticed a vehicle stopped across both lanes of traffic. He drove past the vehicle and noticed the brake light was activated but could not see anybody inside. Wharton exited his unit and saw the driver, identified as Hughes, lying back in the driver's seat, asleep. Hughes' foot was on the brake, the vehicle was on and the transmission was in drive.
Wharton attempted several times to wake Hughes. He eventually woke up, turned of the vehicle and exited after Wharton instructed him to. Wharton called for assistance from the Hot Springs Police Department and proceeded to ask Hughes if he had been drinking. Hughes stated, "I left Boogies about an hour ago and then I got food from Waffle House."
The deputy noticed a strong odor of intoxicants on his breath and saw his eyes were red, watery and bloodshot. Hughes was unsteady and had to lean against his vehicle, and he continued putting his hands in his pocket even after being instructed not to do so. Wharton then conducted a search of Hughes for weapons. He located an ink pen cap with tissue in Hughes' pocket. Inside the tissue was a white, powdery substance.
HSPD Sgt. Abbott arrived on scene and field tested the substance and identified it to be cocaine. Wharton asked Hughes if he used illegal narcotics and he responded he used cocaine in the past.
Officer Anaya arrived on scene to conduct field sobriety tests. Hughes reportedly performed poorly and was placed into custody.
• A Hot Springs woman was arrested Friday and charged with second-degree forgery for deeding out another person's house to herself.
Charis Anne Smith, 27, who listed a 110 Wood Duck Place address, was later released on a $1,500. She is due in district court March 10.
On Aug. 1, 2014, a victim reported his ex-girlfriend, Smith, forged his signature on a deed and deeded a house he owns to herself. The victim stated during a conversation after they broke up, Smith stated, "Good luck with the house."
This led the victim to believe something was wrong with the residence. He called an assessor and found the house was deeded over to Smith. He obtained a copy of the deed, which was filed June 5, 2014, and verified it was not his signature. On Aug. 8, 2014, Smith spoke with HSPD Detective Haynie and admitted to forging the signature.
Local on 03/03/2015