Sheriff's Reports 3-6-24: Man arrested for DUI, possession during traffic stop

A defective headlight caught the attention of patrol deputies and landed one man in jail for DUI and possession.

On Feb. 28, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Deputy Austin Carver was patrolling the area of S.H. 51 when he observed a vehicle headed toward the Briggs area with a defective headlight. Carver turned his patrol unit around to catch up to the vehicle. Deputy Nick Chute advised that the vehicle “blacked out” and turned onto 775 Road. Carver found the vehicle stopped in the middle of the road and made contact with the driver, Michael Pounds. The man said he didn’t have his driver’s license, but he did have it on his phone. Carver was writing the man a warning for defective equipment when Chute said Pounds gave him consent to search the vehicle. Chute advised he found a “meth pipe” with a white substance in the center console. Pounds reportedly became uncooperative during the field sobriety test and was arrested for possession of a controlled dangerous substance and driving under the influence.

On March 3, Sgt. Ryan Patton was driving on State Highway 51 when he came up on a truck stopped in the middle of the road. Patton turned his vehicle around and the truck took off. The deputy observed the vehicle left of center several times and clocked the driver speeding. Patton continued to follow the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop on Bliss Avenue. The driver, Elvis Torres, had a strong odor of alcohol coming from his person. He admitted to consuming alcohol at a party in Stilwell before driving. Torres was arrested after a field sobriety test and booked for driving under the influence.

Deputy Colt Oliver was dispatched to an alleged disturbance on South 556 Road March 3. The victim said she and Joshua Smith were arguing when the man began to throw and break objects in the residence. The woman said Smith tried to grab her cell phone and became physical when she tried to keep it from him. Smith admitted to taking the phone from the woman. Oliver said there was debris and household items scattered on the floor. Smith was arrested for domestic assault and battery and transported to jail.