Traffic stop leads to felony charges

Watkins
Watkins

A traffic stop on a vehicle with reportedly fictitious tags lead to the arrest of the driver on multiple felony and misdemeanor drug charges Wednesday night.

Eddie Tyrice Watkins, 35, who lists a Pappy Hunt Lane address, was taken into custody shortly after 7 p.m. and charged with felony counts of possession of meth with purpose to deliver, punishable by up to 30 years in prison, possession of drug paraphernalia, punishable by up to 20 years, possession of a controlled substance with purpose to deliver, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia, each punishable by up to six years, and a misdemeanor count of possession of a controlled substance, marijuana, with purpose to deliver, punishable by up to one year in jail.

Watkins was also cited for driving on a suspended driver's license, having no liability insurance and driving a vehicle without tags. He was being held on bonds totaling $24,500 and a zero bond parole hold stemming from his conviction on Feb. 17, 2015, for possession of a controlled substance, meth, where he was sentenced to three years in prison and later paroled.

According to the probable cause affidavit, shortly after 7 p.m., Hot Springs police Officer Benjamin Riley stopped a white 2001 Nissan Maxima after a computer check showed the license plate returned to a black 1995 Honda Accord.

He made contact with the driver, identified as Watkins, who told him he had just purchased the vehicle and that the license plate was given to him by a friend to use. A computer check revealed Watkins had a warrant for failure to appear and a parole violation warrant through the Arkansas Board of Parole, so he was taken into custody.

In searching Watkins, Riley allegedly found a plastic baggie with of what later tested positive for meth, 25.1 grams, two baggies containing multiple pills and $120 in cash. The pills were identified as hydrocodone and alprazolam.

In searching the vehicle, the officer allegedly found a plastic container with several plastic baggies, a silver case also containing plastic baggies, a case with approximately 4 grams of marijuana and scales.

Investigators with the 18th Judicial District East Drug Task Force were contacted and assumed the investigation. They seized the vehicle and the money.

The DTF is comprised of investigators from the Arkansas State Police, Garland County Sheriff's Department, HSPD, 18th Judicial District East prosecuting attorney's office and U.S. Homeland Security Investigations.

Local on 07/27/2018

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