HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE -- A Hot Springs man was arrested late Wednesday on multiple felony charges following a traffic stop for speeding in Hot Springs Village after a gun and drugs were allegedly found in his possession.
James Edward Gouy, 44, who lists a Carpenter Court address, was taken into custody shortly after 7:30 p.m. and charged with felony counts of simultaneous possession of drugs and a firearm, punishable by up to life in prison, possession of a controlled substance, meth, and possession of drug paraphernalia, each punishable by up to six years, and a misdemeanor count of possession of drug paraphernalia, punishable by up to one year in jail.
Gouy, who lists no prior criminal history, was set to appear Monday in Garland County District Court.
According to the probable cause affidavit obtained Monday, Hot Springs Village Police Officer Ryan Harper was on patrol when he saw a gray GMC SUV traveling westbound on DeSoto Boulevard near Clubhouse Drive and clocked it on radar at 43 mph in a 30 mph zone.
He made a traffic stop and made contact with the driver and sole occupant, identified as Gouy, and while speaking to him allegedly noted a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. Asked if there was any marijuana in the vehicle, Gouy reportedly showed officers "a jar of smoked marijuana joints" which gave them probable cause to search the vehicle.
While exiting the vehicle, Gouy also reportedly admitted there was a gun in the driver's door. Officers allegedly found the handgun which cleared a computer check. They also allegedly found a small baggie of what later tested positive for meth, 1.4 grams, a clear smoking device with meth residue, a bag with a marijuana grinder and residue and a tin can with marijuana.
The total amount of marijuana in the jar and tin can was reportedly 10.4 grams. All the evidence was collected and sent to the Arkansas State Crime Lab for analysis and Gouy was taken into custody.