Dresden man arrested in Gleason on drug charges

James Stewart

Story by Senior Investigative Reporter by Shannon Taylor

On Sep. 27 at approximately 1:36 p.m., Investigator Kyle Watkins with the Gleason Police Department observed a white Nissan SUV traveling down Holland Street with the driver, 62-year-old James Stewart, not wearing a seatbelt.

A traffic stop was conducted on the vehicle with it pulling up to Huggins Park. Upon approaching the vehicle from the driver side and making contact with Stewart, Watkins asked him why he wasn’t wearing his seatbelt and Stewart gave a medical reason for not wearing it.

Stewart was known to Watkins to be previously charged with meth charges and he asked Stewart for consent to search the vehicle with Stewart stating that he only had paraphernalia in the vehicle.

Stewart was asked to step out of the vehicle for a probable cause search to be conducted. Upon searching the driver door area, a glass pipe with residue was discovered and believed to be used for meth.

Upon searching Stewart, a small plastic bag was recovered in his front right pocket containing around 1 gram of meth. In Stewarts front left pocket a short straw was also recovered which was believed to be used for meth.

Stewart was charged with schedule II; unlawful drug paraphernalia uses and activities and violation of seat belt law.