A 41-year-old Commerce man was jailed on a controlled substance charge following an early morning traffic stop Thursday.
Hopkins County Sheriff‘s deputies reportedly initiated a traffic stop on a GMC pickup at 3:50 a.m. April 23 on FM 499 after noticing the truck’s right tail light was out. The deputies, in arrest reports, noted the truck traveled “farther than normal” after the patrol vehicle’s emergency lights were turned on.
Upon contact with the driver, deputies reported the man displayed altered speech and furtive movements. When asked to search the pickup, the man allegedly refused consent. The man was instructed to exit the truck and a police canine was requested.
Upon arrival, the police canine conducted a free air sniff around the vehicle. The dog alerted for contraband, resulting in a probable cause search of the vehicle, HCSO Sgt. Tanner Steward and Deputy Justin Wilkerson alleged in arrest reports. The sheriff’s officers allegedly located a bag containing suspected methamphetamine in a plastic cup holder
Consequently, deputies placed the man in the truck, 42-year-old Gary Wayne Arrington of Commerce, into custody at 4:34 a.m. April 23. Arrington was transported to jail, the truck was impounded. The contraband at the jail weighed 0.63 gram and field-tested positive for methamphetamine, resulting in Arrington being charged with possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance, according to arrest reports.
Arrington was released from Hopkins County jail later April 23 on the felony charge. Bond was set at $5,000, according to jail reports.
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The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
