Rockmart Police took three men into custody during a traffic stop on multiple charges including marijuana possession while also avoiding what could have turned into a confrontation with a crowd at the Goldin Street Apartments last week.

Garfield Daylon Lester, 21, and Jasmond Daquan Rayshun Wilson, 19, both of 217 Jones Ave., Rockmart and Cortavious Dytre Benham, 19, of 703 Church St., Rockmart, were arrested on Friday, May 21, 2021 by Rockmart Police around 7 p.m. amid a traffic stop at the apartments during a patrol of the area. Police noted numerous complaints about drug trafficking occuring around the complex.

The trio were already parked illegally and according to the report the driver was spotted preparing a blunt when the officer who spotted them on patrol pulled back around and turned on his overhead lights. He watched Benham open the back passenger door and toss the blunt under the vehicle when he pulled up.

Police then took Benham in custody, and after that watched as Wilson tried to hide “contraband on his person.” When the officer ordered Wilson out, he found a paintball gun in the front seat as well and questioned them about a previous incident involving a house in the area being shot by paintballs. Wilson said he had no knowledge of the incident.

After all three were out of the car, police conducted a search and found several bags of marijuana in the car and in a backpack within, including one weighing in more than 35 grams, plus 18 different commercially packed bags, and at least one more on Wilson in his pocket. Police also found an open bottle of gin in the vehicle as well, along with a number of items used in the drug trade.

While the traffic stop was underway, Lester’s mother arrived on the scene and began to question police about what was happening, and “interject her opinion on the situation at hand” and was told by officers to leave. She didn’t, and police asked for backup to help with a potential for a crowd to gather around the scene.

The reporting officer stated that because of the potential for the crowd to grow, police gathered up the evidence and stashed it in a patrol vehicle as fast as possible.

“A large crowd” ultimately showed up to watch the arrest happen, and additional help from Polk County Police and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrived to provide assistance for potential crowd control.

Prior to being taken to jail, Lester was also found with a THC vape pen in his pocket as well.

All three were taken to the Polk County Jail without further incident.



Lester was released on a $6,000 bond after four days in jail on felony charges of possession of marijuana, drugs: sale, manufacture, deliver or distribute marijuana, and possession of a schedule I controlled substance. He was also jailed on misdemeanor charges of improper parking, an open container violation, three counts of possession and use of drug related objects and littering highway.

Benham was also released after four days in jail on a $6,000 bond on charges possession of marijuana, drugs: sale, manufacture, deliver or distribute marijuana, felony possession of marijuana, tampering with evidence, three counts of possession and use of drug related objects, littering highway. open container violation, and furnishing, purchasing, and possession of alcoholic beverages by persons below legal age.

Wilson was released after five days in jail on felony possession of marijuana, drugs: sale, manufacture, deliver or distribute marijuana, felony possession of marijuana, three counts of possession and use of drug related objects, littering highway. open container violation, and furnishing, purchasing, and possession of alcoholic beverages by persons below legal age.

During the search of the vehicle, police did not the paintball gun’s ammo did look to match the same color of the house shot up by paintballs in a previous complaint, but could not conclusively prove they were the same.



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