Police find meth, pot and loaded gun in vehicle

By Jeremy Weldon

Batesville police made two arrests early Sunday morning around Love’s Travel Stop after receiving a tip that two female subjects were approaching truck drivers offering sex.

An incident report made available Monday said Michael Hurst was charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana in a vehicle with firearm enhancement, and felony possession of a weapon.

Angela Hurst was charged with possession of a controlled substance.

A patrolman initially approached the vehicle, a Jeep parked in a dark area near the travel stop located at the North Batesville exit on I-55, while investigating the report of prostitution solicitation. Officers had been told two or three females were working out of the vehicle, but no other subjects were at the scene when police arrived.

Deputy Police Chief Kerry Pittman said a caller told dispatchers two females were approaching truck drivers as they exited the back door at Love’s Travel Stop which is used almost exclusively by drivers of big rigs. Diesel pumps and a repair building are located behind the main building and passenger vehicles are not allowed in that parking lot.

During the course of questioning the occupants of the Jeep about the prostitution reports, officers began to suspect they were using illegal drugs. Field tests performed on the substances found in the vehicle indicated three grams of methamphetamine and one gram of marijuana were were in the couple’s possession along with a loaded handgun.

PIttman said calls about prostitution being solicited at Love’s are not common, and the area is not thought to be a meeting place for similar activity. Both Hursts were taken to the Panola County Jail and were awaiting a first appearance hearing Monday. Ages and address of the two people charged were not available.