On January 01, 2010, at about 1127 hrs., Officer Sakovich stopped a car for speeding on I-129 at Kingston Pk. The officer smelled a strong odor of marijuana coming from the car as he spoke with the driver. The officer requested back up and a K-9 officer. Officer Chadwell walked his dog around the vehicle were it alerted. The driver and 3 passengers were taken out of the vehicle so officers could search the vehicle.
Items and their locations found inside the vehicle:
A. handgun under driver seat , accessible by either the driver or left rear seat passenger.
B. handgun, with altered serial #, under passenger seat, accessible by either the front seat passenger or right rear seat passenger C. baggy of schedule VI drugs D. open container of alcohol
It could not be determined if the driver and passengers were under the influence of marijuana or not although the strong odor indicated that marijuana had been recently smoked in the car. Because of this, physical arrests were made instead of misdemeanor citations for the misdemeanor charges. Possession of a firearm with an altered serial # is a felony charge. All four individuals were physically arrested.
Suspects and charges:
1. Cameron Alexander Tatum (driver) dob 07/20/88 (a) unlawful poss. of firearm (b) open container of alcohol
2.David Tyler Smith (front seat passenger) dob 09/04/86 (a) unlawful poss. of firearm (b) poss. of firearm with altered serial # 3.Melvin Lamont Goins II ( left rear seat passenger ) dob 12/14/87 (a) unlawful poss. of firearm (b) poss. of schedule VI 4.Brian M. Williams ( right rear seat passenger ) dob 08/10/87 (a)unlawful poss. of firearm (b) poss. of firearm with altered serial # (c) poss. of schedule VI
This will be the only information released on this incident until Monday, January 4, 2010.