A Hot Springs man was arrested on multiple felony charges Sunday after a traffic stop by a Garland County sheriff's deputy led to the discovery of more than an ounce of marijuana, several firearms, and various prescription pills, a report said.
Nathan Allen Pokrajac, 26, who lists a Vista Street address, was taken into custody on Skyline Drive and charged with simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms, punishable by up to life in prison, possession of hydrocodone with intent to deliver and unauthorized use of another person's property to facilitate a crime, both punishable by up to 20 years, possession of diazepam with intent to deliver, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia, each punishable by up to six years.
He was being held on zero bond and appeared Monday in Garland County District Court.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Deputy Pruitt Margis was in a Lakeside School District parking lot searching for another vehicle when he witnessed a small passenger car traveling at about 60 mph go by and made a traffic stop on Skyline Drive.
The driver, identified as Nathan Pokrajac, allegedly apologized for speeding and stated he did not have a driver's license. A search through ACIC confirmed Pokrajac's license was suspended and he already had one citation for driving on a suspended license.
Pokrajac then allegedly stated the vehicle was a rental and his name was not on the rental agreement. After viewing the rental agreement, the deputy noticed the rental was supposed to be returned on July 12 and contacted a wrecker service to retrieve the vehicle.
The deputy had Pokrajac exit the vehicle and disarmed him of multiple knives in his possession. After he was informed the vehicle would be towed, Pokrajac reportedly stated there were multiple guns in the back seat.
An inventory of the vehicle yielded a rifle in the rear passenger floorboard, a 9-mm handgun, several rounds of ammunition, and a backpack with a .22-caliber rifle that was fully loaded with one in the chamber. The deputy noted the bag reportedly smelled of marijuana and searched the bag further.
Inside the bag, the deputy reportedly found a small plastic grinder containing suspected marijuana, numerous pills, including diazepam and hydrocodone, in unlabeled pill bottles, two bags of suspected marijuana, about 39 grams, 16 "vapor" style containers with THC Oil, a waxy substance with a strong odor of marijuana, two syringes, a pocket scale, and $2,965 in cash.
Pokrajac was arrested and transported to the Garland County Detention Center without incident.
Local on 07/17/2018