Two Arrested: Drugs & Guns Seized

By Jessie Williams

Two suspects are behind bars after a traffic stop led authorities to multiple weapons, various drugs and 2.6 grams of meth earlier this month.

 

According to Macon County Sheriff’s Department Detective Shane Gregory, surveillance video footage surfaced of an incident that took place near Golden Oaks Village apartments where a male subject was shown putting a handgun down the front of his pants and then proceeded to retrieve an AR-15 rifle from the trunk of the car. 

The surveillance footage also showed a black male get out of the car and walk around the back  of the building. A female driver was inside the light green Pontiac Grand Prix, which had a temporary tag. 

Authorities were attempting to identify the suspects in the video when later the same day, Detective Gregory made a traffic stop on the same vehicle seen in the video. 

After receiving consent to search, Detective Gregory, along with deputies and officers of the Lafayette Police Department, discovered a 40 caliber semi-automatic handgun, a 360 semi automatic handgun, an AR-15 rifle, synthetic marijuana capsules and narcotics in the vehicle. 

The suspects were identified as 21-year-old Melinda Graves, of Lafayette, and 21-year-old Steven Bowling, of Westmoreland. 

Bowling was charged with possession of a legend drug, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving on a suspended license. Graves was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a legend drug.

Both Bowling and Graves made bond, but the District Attorney’s Office revoked their bonds on prior charges. 

When Miss Graves arrived for her scheduled court date, she was detained on bond revocation and a search was conducted during the booking process. 

She was found to be in possession of 2.6 grams of meth and was then charged with possession of a schedule II drug for the purpose of resale and introduction of drugs into a county institution. 

Additional charges are pending in this case.