During the investigation of an unrelated case, Pearl River Louisiana police officers alerted the Picayune Police Department to suspicious activity, which led to the arrest of a Picayune man for possession of illegal substances.
On Aug. 4, at 1:31 p.m., officers with the Picayune Police Department were dispatched to 1805 Johnny K. St. to assist Pearl River, Louisiana police officers with a runaway.
Upon arrival, Picayune officers met with the Louisiana officers on scene, who stated upon their arrival, they observed a man bending down in front of a vehicle. He appeared to be placing something on the ground, Picayune Police Department Assistant Police Chief Jeremy Magri said.
Pearl River officers also told Picayune officers they observed the man enter the vehicle and appeared to be placing something near or underneath the front passenger seat, Magri said.
The suspect, who was later identified by authorities as 40-year-old Stephen C. McDonald of 1200 Fern Dr., was questioned and patted down by authorities, Magri said.
During the search, officers recovered a set of keys from McDonald’s back pocket, which had small silver pill bottle attached to the ring. The bottle contained a white residue, Magri said.
Officers obtained consent to search the vehicle, which led to the recovery a .45 caliber pistol from underneath the front passenger seat, Magri said.
Officers also discovered two clear plastic bags underneath a white plastic shopping bag in the front of the car, Magri said.
One bag contained a large amount of white crystallized substance believed to be crystal meth and the second bag contained a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana, Magri said.
Officers also located three more bags during their search, Magri said.
The first bag contained a white powdery substance believed to be cocaine, the second bag contained several white rock-like substances believed to be crack cocaine and the third bag contained numerous individually wrapped foil wraps containing a substance believed to be heroin, Magri said.
McDonald was taken into custody by Picayune police officers and charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute while in possession of a firearm within 15 feet of a school or church and possession of marijuana, Magri said.
A check of McDonald’s criminal history showed three previous felony convictions, so he was also charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, Magri said.
The juvenile runaway case was unrelated to the drug case, Magri said.