The Polk County Police got a big score of drugs and a few firearms during a traffic stop that started on Tuesday night and went into Wednesday morning, according to reports filed following the arrest just after midnight.
Joseph Benjamin McClain, 48, of 225 Newcomb St., Rockmart, was jailed on multiple charges for drugs, guns, and a broken tag light on his 1987 Dodge Ram pickup truck.
Reports stated that McClain was pulled over at Atlanta Highway and Vinson Mountain Road around 11:50 p.m. on May 4, and when officers stepped around to the passenger side, McClain was getting out of the vehicle to see what was wrong. The reporting officer found a box of ammunition in the front seat and based on that decided to pat McClain down for potentially concealed firearms.
That’s when officers found a pipe in his pocket that McClain initially claimed was a glass straw, but when he emptied his pockets officers confirmed the drug paraphernalia was indeed a smoking device that had suspected methamphetamine residue inside.
Police also found several needles that had a blood colored liquid within, and several rounds of ammunition as well. McClain ultimately admitted to officers he had two firearms in his truck, but they found a third. Those included a .38 caliber revolver, a .22 caliber magnum revolver and 35 Marlin behind the seat.
During the search of the vehicle, additional drugs were also found included marijuana, additional needles, more methamphetamine, and several doses of Xanax as well.
Police confiscated the drugs and firearms, towed the truck and transported McClain to the Polk County Jail where he remained on a $16,100 bond.
McClain was charged with felonies for possession of methamphetamine, possession of firearm or knife during commission of or attempt to commit certain crimes, sale, manufacture, deliver or possession dangerous drugs, and possession of a schedule III controlled substance. Additional misdemeanor charges included possession and use of drug related objects, drugs not in original container, possession of marijuana less than an ounce and tag lights required.
