Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Traffic Stop Results In Several Drug Charges

A traffic stop resulted in the arrest of a 34-year-old Prescott man Tuesday, Nov. 12.

Nevada County Sheriff Deputy Jason Arrington stopped a vehicle driven by John W. Banks for not having a license plate displayed.

During the check, Arrington discovered Banks was a convicted felon, but had a firearm in the vehicle, which is illegal.

A further search of the vehicle turned up two plastic bags filled with a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana, along with drug paraphernalia and a handgun, which was found in the glove compartment.

Further investigation into the case led the Nevada County Sheriff's Office to obtain a search warrant for Banks' home, where more of a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana, more drug paraphernalia and firearms were found.

The search was conducted by Sheriff Harold Vines, criminal investigator Jim Westmoreland, K-9 officer Wayne Kisselburg and Narco, deputies Wally Hulan and Arrington, reserve deputy J.P. Westbrook and Arkansas Game and Fish Commission wildlife officer Bill Vanscoy.

Banks was charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, possession of drug paraphernalia, felon in possession of firearms and simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms. He was released on $10,000 bond.

BODY FOUND

The body of James Newton Daniel, 78, of Prescott, was found in woods near property he owned near Laneburg Saturday morning.

According to Vines, Daniel was known to go to the residence on a regular basis, as he did Friday afternoon.

When his sister spotted his car there Friday around 4:30 p.m. and he wasn't there, she called Daniel's son, who, with his son, searched the area until about 7 p.m.

The family then notified the NCSO. The Nevada County Rescue Unit, along with a dog team from Columbia County, the Hempstead County drug dog and Sheriff Jerry Crane, along with Dick Broach and his dog with the AG&FC and volunteers from the Mennonite community assisted in the search.

Vines said the body was found between 1:30-2 a.m. in a wooded area behind the house.

Foul play is not suspected in the case.

CHARGES AMENDED

One of the two third degree battery charges filed against Edwin James Crawley, 19, have been dropped.

He was arrested following a disturbance at Maxine's Diner in which he removed a girl from the restaurant against her will.

However, Westmoreland said the girl refused to press charges.

Crawley still faces a third degree battery charge, along with second degree criminal mischief and disorderly conduct, as Maxine Milner, owner of the diner, was injured in the fracas while trying to prevent him from taking the girl away.

Milner has said she will not tolerate this kind of behavior as she runs a family restaurant.