Pettis County Sheriff’s Reports for December 19, 2023

This article is compiled from reports issued by the Pettis County Sheriff's Office.

On the night of December 16^th, Pettis County Deputies were on patrol when they observed a 1997 white Dodge pickup driving westbound on US 50 Hwy with no license plates.  A stop was conducted on US 50 Highway west of South Marvin Avenue. During the investigation, the driver reached behind his driver’s seat to look for his insurance.  There, the Deputy saw two syringe needles with orange caps on them in the seat on the floorboard.  The driver was asked if he had a weapon or any drugs in the car, and the driver answered in the negative, saying the Deputy could “Search it if you want to”.  After a search of the vehicle, the Deputy found a baggie sticking out of the driver’s coat containing marijuana, and found a small black billfold containing two more syringes with a clear liquid inside.  The syringes tested positively for methamphetamine.  Douglas Lee Johnson, 51, of Smithton, was arrested on charges of Failure to Register a Motor Vehicle, misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and felony Possession of a Controlled Substance.  The Probable Cause Report mentions Johnson had one prior conviction from Florida for manufacturing a hallucinogen, two prior convictions for Possession of Ephedrine, two prior convictions for Possession of Marijuana (35 Grams), one prior conviction for Possession of a Controlled Substance, and one prior conviction for Trafficking Drugs in the 2^nd Degree. Johnson is also under field supervision through Probation and Parole on a charge of Delivery of a Controlled Substance. Johnson was placed on a 24 hour hold at the Pettis County Jail.  Johnson was later issued a bond of $25,000 cash or surety.