A traffic stop on the 5th of November resulted in several misdemeanor and felony drug charges. Johnnie Melinda Ray, age 40 of Elizabeth was stopped for failing to use a turn signal at the intersection of Pine Ridge Road and Arkansas Highway 9. Ray failed to provide a drivers license and presented Deputy Cody Cruse an identification only card. Deputy Jaden Whitfield, Izard County K-9 handler ran Mendy his K-9 partner around the vehicle after detecting what the officer thought was a marijuana smell. It was then determined that her driver’s license was suspended due to a DWI-drugs charge.

The narcotics dog alerted to the passenger side of the vehicle where numerous drug items were found.  These items included a zipper bag between the seats which contained three smaller bags containing a crystal like substance appearing to be methamphetamine and a cell phone bag containing a green leafy substance and rolling papers. In Ray’s purse were different types of pills and a large amount of money.

 Sheriff Tate Lawrence said Ray faces two felonies including possession of a controlled substance-meth with the purpose to deliver, a class “a” felony and a class “b” felony of possession of drug paraphernalia for purpose to repack meth or cocaine. In addition to driving on a suspended license, Ray was also charged with possession of a schedule VI narcotic-marijuana, a class “a” misdemeanor and possession with the purpose to ingest drugs, also a class “a’ misdemeanor. Ray posted bond November 7 in the amount of $10,000 and has a circuit court date in December.

Assisting the Izard County Sheriff’s Department was the 16th Judicial District Drug Task Force.

News Release, For Immediate Release, November 8, 2016, POC: Sheriff Tate Lawrence, 8703684203

Note: Picture of Ray provided