From the Waynesboro Police Department:
On October 1st, 2020, Patrolman Jonathan Kelly initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle after observing a traffic violation. During the stop, Patrolman Kelly had reason to believe there may be illegal drugs or other illegal items in the car. He requested Wayne County Sheriff’s Department K-9 Deputy Tyler Sanderson to come to his location. Upon K-9 Deputy Sanderson’s arrival, K-9 Buddy performed a search of the outside of the vehicle in which K-9 Buddy alerted to Deputy Sanderson there were illegal drugs present.
During the search of the vehicle, Patrolman Kelly found approximately ten grams of a crystal white substance that field-tested positive for methamphetamine, approximately six grams of marijuana, $566.00 in cash, two pills (Lortab), syringes, a .22 revolver, and other drug paraphernalia. The driver, Rachael Hart, and passenger, Jimmy Murphy, were arrest for TCA 39-17-434 Possession of methamphetamine with intent to resale, TCA 39-17-1324 Possession of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony, TCA 39-17-410 Possession of a Schedule II, TCA 39-17-418 Simple Possession, and TCA 39-17-425 Unlawful drug paraphernalia. These subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
This traffic stop was excellent police work by Patrolman Kelly, and with the help of Wayne County Sheriff’s Department K-9 Deputy Tyler Sanderson and K-9 Buddy, these officers took a substantial amount of dangerous illicit drugs and an illegal firearm off the streets. This occurrence and several others that have taken place over the past weeks and months truly exemplify the impact that can be made by our police officers working together with the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department Deputies to combat crime in our community and county. Our Officers have taken several grams of methamphetamine, heroin, marijuana, firearms, drug paraphernalia items, and stolen vehicles off the streets in the last few months. We appreciate all our officer’s hard work and the assistance that Sheriff Shane Fisher and his department provide our agency. Our agencies will continue to work together in the interest of public safety combating crime and the drug problem that our county currently faces with the rest of the nation.
