Officers from the Benton Police Department have arrested seven suspects for drug offenses from separate incidents this week. Those facing drug related charges are Ryan Christopher Evans, 26, of Alexander; Latera Weatherly, 35, of Mabelvale; Bryant Bruce, 41, of Benton; James Freitas, 39, of Benton; Lydia Ann Fitzgerald, 32, of Bauxite; Bobby Wayne Apperson, Jr., 32, of Bauxite; and Josh Dane Salyers, 25, of Benton.
• At approximately 1:34 a.m. Jan. 31, Evans was stopped by officers at Military and Smithers for a defective headlight when the odor of marijuana was noticed. During a search of the vehicle officers noted finding suspected marijuana, a suspected meloxicam pill, and several drug paraphernalia items in a wooden box located inside the vehicle. Evans was taken into custody and faces charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and was cited for Defective Headlights, No Proof of Insurance and No Driver’s License.
• At approximately 2:15 p.m. Jan. 31, a traffic stop was conducted on Smithers Road for failure to wear a seatbelt when the driver, Weatherly, admitted to having a suspended driver’s license and is on parole with the Arkansas Department of Correction. During a consent to search, officers noted finding several drug paraphernalia, suspected methamphetamine, and suspected Hydrocodone pills. Weatherly was taken into custody and faces charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance (methamphetamine), Possession of a Controlled III Substance (Hydrocodone), two counts of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Fictitious Tags, Driving on a Suspended Driver’s License and No Seat Belt.
• At approximately 7:36 p.m. Jan. 31, a traffic stop was conducted at East and Elm for no taillights. The driver, Bruce was found to have an active warrant with the Saline County Sheriff’s Office, and passenger, Freitas was found to have warrants with the Benton Police Department. During a search of the vehicle, officers reported finding 4-5 grams of suspected methamphetamine. Bruce was taken into custody and faces a charge of Possession of a Controlled Substance. Freitas was taken into custody and faces charges of Obstruction of Governmental Operations and Possession of a Controlled Substance. Freitas additionally was served a felony warrant for Delivery of Methamphetamine, Use of Another’s Property to Facilitate a Crime, and Proximity to Certain Facilities, along with a misdemeanor warrant for Failure to Pay.
• At approximately 9:41 p.m. Feb. 1, a traffic stop was conducted for a non-functioning brake light. During a search of the vehicle, a bag containing 8.5 grams of suspected marijuana, 1.2 grams of suspected marijuana, and drug paraphernalia was found inside the vehicle. The driver, Fitzgerald was taken into custody and faces charges of Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. The passenger, Apperson was taken into custody and faces charges of Possession of Marijuana, Obstruction of Governmental Operations, and was served an absconder warrant from the Parole Board.
• At approximately 9:18 a.m., Feb. 2, officers responded to the Saline County Courthouse in reference to drug possession. Bailiffs reported to officers that Salyers was found to have suspected marijuana in his possession during a search. Salyers was transported to the Saline County Jail and faces a charge of Possession of a Controlled Substance.
Anyone with information about these incidents is encouraged to contact the Benton Police Department at 501-778-1171 or 501-315-TIPS. Individuals also may send us anonymous information to CRIMES (274637) with the keyword BNPD in the body of the text or go to www.crimereports.com to leave a tip. A crime tip can also be submitted via the official Benton Police Department app found on ITunes and Google Play.
Any suspects listed are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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