TRAFFIC STOP LEADS TO TWO ARRESTS ON GUN AND DRUG CHARGES

  

An early morning traffic stop led to the arrest of two Smithville men on gun and drug charges.

Sgt. Ryan Meagher with the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office made a traffic stop on a 2004 Ford F-150 pickup truck at 12:49am this (Tuesday) morning in the Kirtley area near the Bastrop County line.

Upon making contact with the two occupants, Meagher reported that he observed a pipe commonly used for smoking methamphetamine in plain view inside the vehicle.

Meagher asked the passenger to exit the vehicle, and he refused, so Meagher had to assist him out.           

The driver was identified as 61-year-old Randolph Simon, and the passenger was identified as 56-year-old Melvin Johnson.

During a search of the truck, Meagher located an AR-15 style rifle. Because Simon and Johnson are both convicted felons, they are not allowed to be in possession of firearms.

In addition to that, Meagher located methamphetamine in Johnson’s underwear.  He also discovered that Johnson had a warrant out for his arrest from Bastrop County for Possession of a Controlled Substance.

Both men were arrested and taken to the Dan R. Beck Justice Center in La Grange.

Simon was charged with Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon. 

Meanwhile, Johnson was charged with Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, Possession of a Controlled Substance Greater Than Four Grams, but Less Than 400 Grams, Tampering or Fabricating Physical Evidence with the Intent to Impair, Interference with Public Duties, and the Possession of a Controlled Substance warrant from Bastrop County.