A traffic stop on a car that reportedly had fictitious tags lead to the arrest of a local couple on felony drug charges Wednesday afternoon.
Johnny Ray Clay, 52, and Stacy Christine Smith, 48, who list the same address on Mountain Valley Street, were both taken into custody shortly after 3 p.m. and each charged with possession of meth with purpose to deliver, punishable by up to 20 years in prison, and delivery of a controlled substance, oxycodone, punishable by up to 10 years.
Smith, who was also cited for driving on a suspended driver's license, and Clay both remained in custody Thursday in lieu of $8,500 bond and are set to appear today in Garland County District Court.
According to the probable cause affidavit, shortly before 3 p.m., Arkansas State Police Trooper Ryan Wingo saw a black Chrysler Sebring traveling east on Airport Road and a computer check of the license plate showed it returned to a different vehicle so he stopped the car near Hot Springs Memorial Field.
He spoke to the driver, identified as Smith, and asked for her license and registration. The passenger, identified as Clay, handed Smith a backpack that was in the floorboard and she retrieved her wallet and an Arkansas ID. Clay also showed his ID and Smith handed the trooper the vehicle title.
A computer check confirmed the car was registered to Smith but did not have a license plate assigned and Smith's driver's license was suspended. The check also showed Clay had a suspended driver's license and a warrant for his arrest out of Grant County, so they were both detained.
Wingo asked Smith if there was anything illegal in the car and she said there wasn't and gave consent for him to search. He allegedly found a black case with two baggies of what later tested positive for meth, 5.5 grams, between the center console and driver's seat.
He also found a plastic circular container with nine pills later determined to be oxycodone in the backpack. Both Clay and Smith denied ownership of the meth or pills and Wingo noted they both had access to either container.
Clay was previously arrested on Dec. 29, 2018, on felony charges of simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms, possession of meth with purpose to deliver, possession of drug paraphernalia and theft by receiving of a firearm and was set to stand trial on the charges this week in Garland County Circuit Court.
Local on 10/04/2019