BPD traffic stops complicate lives of two drivers

By John Howell
The tell-tale odor of burning marijuana is alleged to have complicated the lives of at least two drivers Friday when Batesville police detected the smell wafting from their vehicles during traffic stops.
Patrick White drove up to a driver’s license safety checkpoint on Panola Avenue about 4 p.m. where patrolman J. P. Wallace noticed the familiar aroma, according to his report. Sergeant Will Parrish joined Wallace and, after questioning, the driver allegedly admitted having the contraband behind his pickup’s seat.
“Sergeant Parrish and myself could not make entry into the rear seating area because the driver’s seat was broken,” Wallace’s report continues.
The suspect then offered to show the officers the marijuana and retrieved a bag from behind the broken seat along with two cigarette packs containing paraphernalia. The driver’s life got more complicated when the officers’ continued searching revealed cocaine, scales and more paraphernalia, the report alleges.
White was placed in the Panola County jail and charged with felony possession of a controlled substance and with intent to distribute, according to Wallace’s report.
Patrolman Wallace had earlier that day detected the same familiar odor flowing from the interior of a vehicle he stopped for speeding on Eureka near Perkins Lane.
Brandon Martin is alleged in Wallace’s report to have admitted smoking the contraband but denied having it in his vehicle. A search not only proved otherwise, but also led to the discovery of an open container of beer. Martin was charged with possession of marijuana in a motor vehicle, possessing an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle,  driving while license suspended, no proof of insurance and speeding.
On Sunday, patrolman Rickie Terrell was dispatched to assist a father who was trying to deal with a son who had exited his vehicle on Highway 6 East near I-55. Both were from out of state, according to the report.
The officer took the juvenile into custody when he failed to comply with his instructions and ran in the opposite direction, Terrell’s report continues. The juvenile was charged with disorderly conduct in addition to failure to comply and then released back to his father, the report continues.
Patrolman Matt McCool was called to Huddle House on Sunday to investigate a report that a dog had been left in a car. By the time the officer arrived, the owner was outside with the dog with motor running and windows rolled down.
Early Monday morning, patrolman Jason Irby responded to a Kyle Street home where the occupant had smelled smoke in her kitchen. The Batesville Fire Department responded and found a ballast burned out in a florescent light fixture. “The fixture was removed and the wires were taped up until it can be fixed,” Irby reported.
Shortly afterwards, Irby was dispatched to Hays Street where a tree had fallen, knocking out electric service. Tallahatchie Valley Electric Power Association workers restored power and city workers removed the tree, according to Irby’s report.