Sheriff's Reports 1-14-25: Brass knuckles, meth, fentanyl located during traffic stops

Deputies located a handful of illegal items during several traffic stops.

On Jan. 4, Cherokee County Sheriff's Deputy Austin Carver was patrolling in the area of West 720 Road and North 458 Road when he observed a vehicle going 45 mph in a marked 40 mph zone. The deputy turned his patrol unit around to catch up to the vehicle and could see the tag had expired. Carver conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, John Botts. The man advised he didn't have a driver's license or insurance to the vehicle. Botts also admitted to having marijuana in his vehicle and handed it to the deputy. Carver was getting Botts' information when Botts waved him over and said he had "dope" in his pocket. He gave the deputy a baggie of a crystal rock substance. Carver searched the vehicle and located more marijuana. Botts was transported to jail and booked for no insurance, driving while revoked or suspended, affixing license plate, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, and possession of marijuana.

On Jan. 5, Jaxon Thomlinson was dispatched to Green Country Drive for a physical domestic incident wherein a woman was accused of pulling a knife on a man. Deputies spoke with Neveah Stowers, who said she and the man were arguing when she slapped him a couple of times. She admitted to grabbing a knife and waved it at the man because he "started to get close to her." Stowers said the man never physically touched her. Stowers was arrested and booked for domestic assault and battery in the presence of a child.

Deputy Jeremy Woodstock was on patrol Jan. 5 when he observed a vehicle with a defective high center brake light. Woodstock pulled the vehicle over and met with the driver, who was identified as Cody Pritchett. Pritchett said he didn't have a driver's license but handed the deputy his identification card. The passenger was identified as Chelsea Fishinghawk and she gave Woodstock her driver's license. Woodstock said there was an odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. Pritchett advised he had marijuana in his pocket. Deputies searched the vehicle and found a bag containing empty baggies and Alprazolam pills. Fishinghawk and Pritchett were arrested and both were booked for possession of marijuana. Pritchett was also booked for driving under suspension or revocation.

On Jan. 3, Deputy Woodstock was patrolling the area South 523 Road and East 795 Road when he observed a vehicle with its license plate light hanging under the bumper. The deputy conducted a traffic stop and made contact with Jeanine Murphy and Kenneth Davis. Deputy Dustin Tannehill was assisting Woodstock and could see a small burnt marijuana joint in the ashtray of the vehicle. Davis advised he had marijuana and a pipe in his pocket. Deputies searched the vehicle and located a pair of brass knuckles and a clear glass bottle that contained a clear liquid. Woodstock said the liquid tested positive for methamphetamine and fentanyl, and Murphy and Davis were arrested. Deputy Cassondra Jones said Murphy began screaming as she was escorted to the deputy's patrol unit. Murphy had to be transported to the hospital before she was taken to the Cherokee County Detention Center.

Deputy Woodstock was dispatched to East 862 Road Jan. 4 due to reports of threats being made wherein a firearm was involved. The victim accused Salisa Gaches of pointing a handgun at him during an argument. Deputies said Gaches admitted the two got into an argument and she pulled the firearm on the man, but allegedly said the gun didn't have a magazine in it. However, Woodstock checked the weapon and said there was a bullet in the chamber. Gaches was arrested and booked for domestic abuse in the presence of a child and assault and battery with any sharp or dangerous weapon with intent to injure.

These are arrests, not convictions.