Centerville traffic stop turns into drug arrests on New Year’s Eve

While many were preparing to ring in New Year’s Day, Centerville Police Department announced that some of its officers were busy nabbing two individuals on drug charges. It happened on Friday, December 31 shortly before 4:00 p.m., after officers spotted a brown Jeep Grand Cherokee run a stop sign in the area of Collins Avenue and Watson Boulevard in Centerville.

Once the attending officer could catch up to the SUV, he initiated a traffic stop. The attending officer proceeded to confront the male driver—later identified as 31-year-old Myshon Anthony Smith—regarding the moving violation. In response, Smith admitted his error and offered an apology. A run of his photo ID, however, revealed that his license was suspended, and officers then read him his rights and placed him under arrest.

A female passenger in the Jeep refused to provide her license when requested to do so by law enforcement. Centerville Police Department reported that she became “real irate with the officer.” Despite her efforts not to reveal her identity, the woman was eventually identified as 28-year-old Imani Scharpe Curtis.

According to a social media post by Centerville Police Department, at some point during the incident, the driver of the vehicle revealed that there were drugs on the inside. With this knowledge, reinforcement was requested. Among the backup called for, was a female officer so that the female passenger could be adequately searched. The examination of Curtis’ person resulted in the finding of marijuana hidden in her underwear, where she had tucked it.

Inside the vehicle, officers discovered marijuana in felony amounts. In addition, they found scales, baggies and other drug-related objects. Both occupants of the car received several charges.

Smith was charged with failure to stop at a stop sign, driving while license suspended, possession of drug related objects, possession of marijuana with intent and failure to change the address on his license.

Curtis received charges for possession of marijuana with intent, possession of drug related objects, obstruction of law enforcement officer and failure to change the address on her license.

HHJ News