Deputies from the Newton County Sheriff's Department were able to get several guns off the streets after two arrests on two different dates this month.
According to reports, on Nov. 7 at around 10 a.m. a deputy was patrolling the area of Mountainview subdivision off of Highway 162 when he conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle that had allegedly failed to stop at a stop sign and whose driver and passenger were not wearing their seatbelts.
Under further investigation the deputy reportedly found a digital scale, .45 caliber Glock pistol, a 9mm Jennings pistol, body armor (bullet proof vests) for both a male and a female, marijuana and crack cocaine. While is is not illegal to own bullet proof vests it is suspicious, according to 1st Lt. Mark Mitchell with the NCSO.
The driver, identified as 18-year-old Cedrick Deon Williams was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine, possession of a concealed weapon, possession of a weapon during the commission of a felony, seatbelt violation and failure to obey traffic control devices (failure to stop at a stop sign).
The passenger, Sabrina Lasha Holloway, age 19, was also arrested and charged with possession of a concealed weapon.
Both were arrested without incident and transported to the Newton County Detention Center.
On Nov. 9 at around 11:30 p.m. a deputy with the NCSO passed a vehicle traveling on US Highway 278 with its bright lights on. As he passed the vehicle failed to dim its lights.
The deputy stopped the driver, identified as 24-year-old Virgil C. Anderson, and while he was speaking with Anderson he reportedly noticed a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle.
When the deputy called in Anderson's information he found that Anderson had a suspended driver's license, according to reports. Additionally, a search of the vehicle netted marijuana, cocaine and a hand gun with two clips and 39 rounds.
Anderson was arrested and transported to the Newton County Detention Center where he was charged with carrying a concealed weapon, possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, driving on a suspended license and failure to dim headlights.
