SIKESTON -- A Sikeston teen is facing a felony drug charge and misdemeanor counterfeiting charge after being pulled over for a minor traffic violation last weekend.
Robert D. Mason, 19, is charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, which is a class B felony, and two misdemeanors, unlawful use of drug paraphernalia and counterfeiting.
The charges are the result of a vehicle stop made by a Sikeston Department of Public Safety officer on patrol at about 8:56 p.m. Saturday.
The officer reportedly noticed a vehicle on South Main near Helen Avenue with a broken tail light lens and pulled it over on South Main near Murray Lane, according to Sikeston DPS Capt. Bill Mygatt.
After detecting what he believed to be the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle, the officer called for the Department's K-9 unit.
The canine officer alerted during a walk-around of the vehicle, according to Mygatt.
"At this point, Mr. Mason rolled up the window and locked the doors and was seen making furtive movements inside," Mygatt said.
Mason reportedly hesitated when asked to exit the vehicle, he said, "but subsequently exited the vehicle and was detained."
During a search of the vehicle, an officer located a plastic baggie containing a .4 of a gram of a green, leafy substance in the driver's seat and Mason was placed under arrest.
Officers then located a bag which contained another plastic baggie which had 4.8 grams of the green, leafy substance, a digital scale "and a $50 bill that appeared to be fake," Mygatt said. "He said he got it from a store."
The green, leafy substance field tested positive as marijuana, according to Mygatt.
Mason remained in the Scott County Jail with a cash bond set at $25,000.
Individuals with information about this or any other crime should call DPS at 471-6200 or the Sikeston DPS CrimeStoppers line, 471-1500. All tips can be kept confidential.