A traffic stop in Benton led to the arrest of a convicted felon and a suspect with active warrants after they were found in possession of a reported stolen motorcycle, multiple weapons, and suspected drugs. At approximately 7:16 p.m. Thursday, officers conducted a traffic stop on a motorcycle at Spring Creek Drive for a license plate tag that did not match the vehicle.
Dispatch informed officers that the motorcycle was reported stolen out of Sherwood and that the driver, 33-year-old John Lee Garner of North Little Rock was a convicted felon. Reportedly Garner was found to be in possession of six rounds of 0.357 ammunition, three throwing knives, a pair of brass knuckles, bag with 13.6 grams of suspected methamphetamine, bag with 7.4 grams of suspected marijuana, metal pipe with suspect marijuana residue, rolling papers, and set of digital scales.
Garner told officers there was also a loaded handgun in the motorcycle handbag, which was seized by officers. Six syringe needles were also seized from the motorcycle. A passenger, 35-year-old Sarah May Mathes of North Little Rock was found to have active warrants with North Little Rock and Sherwood police departments.
Mathes was taken into custody and faces a charge of Obstruction of Governmental Operations. Garner was taken into custody and faces charges of Simultaneous Possession of Drugs and Firearms, class Y felony; Possession of Schedule II Drugs with Purpose to Deliver, class A felony; Possession of Schedule IV Drugs with Purpose to Deliver, class A misdemeanor; two counts of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, class D felony ; two counts of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, class A misdemeanor; Possession of a Prohibited Weapon by Certain Persons, class D felony; Criminal Use of a Prohibited Weapon, class D felony; Theft by Receiving, class C felony; No Proof of Liability Insurance, and Fictitious Tags.
Anyone with information about this incident 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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