A Poplarville man was arrested after allegedly trying to discard methamphetamine in a cigarette pack and run from police.
Last week a Pearl River County Sheriff’s Deputy was patrolling Highway 26 near Waterpark Road in Poplarville. While patrolling the area, he observed a blue and black 2020 Yamaha YZFR3 motorcycle with an expired tag traveling east on Highway 26. The deputy proceeded behind the motorcycle to conduct a traffic stop.
The driver of the motorcycle turned into the Dollar General at 3782 Highway 26 before the deputy initiated a traffic stop and allegedly reached into his right pocket while turning into the store. He dropped what appeared to be a cigarette pack in the grass while entering the store, according to police.
The deputy then initiated his blue lights to conduct a traffic stop.
The driver of the motorcycle made a U-turn in the parking lot and tried to get away, but the deputy was able to block him with his cruiser.
He exited his patrol vehicle and informed the driver to step off the motorcycle. The driver of the motorcycle was identified as Charles Johnson Jr., 49, of Poplarville. Johnson was taken into custody.
The deputy was able to locate the cigarette pack and found that it contained what appeared to be methamphetamine bulging out of the pack. Upon further investigation of the motorcycle, he found that the VIN had been sanded off.
The deputy also observed that the ignition switched had been tampered with and changed.
Johnson was arrested and charged with the following:
- Driving while license suspended
- No Insurance
- No Tag
- No Motorcycle Operators License
- Altering a VIN
- Tampering with physical Evidence
- Possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine
Johnson is out on bond in Pearl River County for a previous narcotics violation. Johnson’s prior bond was revoked.
This case has been turned over to Investigators due to the altered VIN number.
