COVINGTON, Ga - A Covington Police Department (CPD) officer arrested two men from Atlanta Sunday after a traffic stop for speeding turned up suspected marijuana and a handgun.
According to his report, CPD Officer Rory Barber was conducting traffic enforcement on I-20 westbound when he observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed. After reportedly clocking the vehicle going 100 mph in a 70 mph zone, he initiated a traffic stop.
As he approached the vehicle to make contact with the driver, Barber reportedly smelled a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. According to the report, the driver and passenger appeared “overly nervous and avoided eye contact.” When both were asked for ID, the driver, Antonio Elam, 23, produced his driver’s license. The passenger, Jaylin Holsey, 23, reportedly produced his Georgia Department of Corrections ID card.
According to the report, Barber asked both men to exit the vehicle. While searching Elam, he reportedly noticed an empty holster on Elam’s belt. When asked if the firearm was in the car, Elam reportedly said that is was not. Both men also reportedly denied that there was anything illegal in the vehicle.
According to the report, due to the strong odor of marijuana coming from the car, Barber searched it. In the driver’s door, he reportedly located a small, black digital scale. He also reportedly found a silver and black Taurus handgun under the driver’s seat. In the trunk of the vehicle he reportedly found a black and white book bag containing a food saver bag with a small amount of a green, leafy substance, a food saver bag with a large amount of a green, leafy substance and a box of sandwich baggies.
Elam and Holsey were arrested and transported to the Newton County Law Enforcement Center. Elam was charged with speeding, possession of marijuana over an ounce, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Holsey was charged with possession of marijuana over an ounce, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
