By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Man arrested after drugs found in cooler
Placeholder Image

Deputies arrested a Covington man after pulling him over for drunk driving and then discovering what looked to be baggies of marijuana in a cooler in the back of his vehicle over the July 4 holiday.

Keiton Lerone Leary, 35, was charged with speeding, driving under the influence, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and possession of firearm during commission of a crime.

At 2:41 a.m. on July 4, a Rockdale County Sheriff's Office deputy Cpl. Joseph Archer heard a description over the radio of a truck heading his way that was not maintaining its lane. When he saw a truck matching the description, he checked the speed of the gray Ford F-150 traveling south on Ga. Highway 20 and reportedly found it was going 61 miles per hour in a 45 miles per hour zone.

Archer pulled over the truck and smelled alcohol as he came into contact with the driver - Keiton Leary. When asked how much he had to drink, "Mr. Leary stated that he had approximately 3-4 drinks and that he had just left the club," according to Archer's report.

Leary then went through several field sobriety tests, including the walk and turn and the one leg stand.

"After the second instruction of the evaluation, Mr. Leary was instructed to begin. Mr. Leary did put his foot down on count three and five. Mr. Leary did also sway during the evaluation and raised his arms to balance himself. Due to him nearly falling over, Mr. Leary stated that he couldn't do it and stopped the evaluation on count six and stated 'I can't do that.' Mr. Leary further stated 'I'm sober, I can't do that, I work for Coca-Cola!'"

After placing Leary in the back of the patrol car, the deputy asked him if there was anything in the car he should be aware of, such as open containers. Leary said no and the officer searched the F-150.

Upon searching, deputies found a large bag containing a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana, six small baggies containing the same substance, a blue igloo cooler, a set of digital scales, a box of sandwich bags a bag of green small baggies, one small bag of black baggies and a Taurus Millenium 40 caliber handgun in the center console.

Leary was booked into the Rockdale County jail.