By Jason C. Mattox

A Batesville man has been arrested and charged with possession with intent to sell, transfer or distribute marijuana after police searched his home last week.

George L. Knowles, 30, of 101 Clinton St., has been charged with possession of more than 30 grams on September 9.

“In a nutshell, we followed up on a tip and we searched the house on Clinton Street and located narcotics,” BPD Detective George Williford said.

“This suspect had a bag of marijuana that had individual bags in it,” Assistant Chief Don Province said. “We searched his home and found some paraphernalia and a fire arm.”

Williford said there were not additional arrests stemming from the investigation.

Thirty grams is just over one ounce of marijuana.

According to Province, the amount of marijuana is not the only thing to cause the possession with intent charge.

“That could depend on a lot of different things,” he said. “It could depend on how he has it packaged.”

“Say we find a person with one bag and a set of scales,” Det. Capt. Paul Shivers said. “That would also be enough to charge possession with intent.”

Williford explained the matter will be sent to the District Attorney’s office but a preliminary hearing will be held in Municipal Court Wednesday.

“The matter will be presented to the grand jury,” he said. “And it could carry anywhere from five to 15 years.”

In weekend activity, Justin Lajuan Fletcher, 712 Bethlehem Rd., Batesville, was arrested and charged with burglary and petit larceny.

According to Williford, the suspect was arrested Friday night at the South Panola Field House, where he had allegedly broken into a vehicle.

“We did find him with some of the stolen items in his vehicle,” Williford said.

Fletcher’s case will be handled in Municipal Court as early as Wednesday.