Sikeston man faces drug charges following traffic stop

Janeil Hatchett

BENTON - A traffic stop by a Scott County deputy led to the arrest of a Sikeston man following the discovery of more than 40 small bags of marijuana along with drug paraphernalia.

Janeil Hatchett, 21, is charged with the misdemeanor of resisting arrest and the felony of possession of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute. He is currently in custody at the Scott County Jail.

At approximately 12:11 a.m. Monday, Deputy John Caudle observed a vehicle sitting in the middle of the roadway on State Highway U in Scott County. When Caudle's patrol car passed the vehicle, then turned around in an attempt to get behind it, the vehicle started moving and then made a U-turn in the roadway, appearing to accelerate quickly, according to Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter.

The vehicle then turned onto Scott County Highway 425, accelerating even more. After the vehicle turned onto Queen Road without a turn signal, Caudle stopped it.

As the driver, identified as Hatchett, walked toward the patrol unit, Caudle noticed the odor of marijuana.

"After speaking with Hatchett, a subsequent search of the vehicle resulted in 60 grams of marijuana and $4,200 of United States currency in $10, $20, and $100 bills," Walter said in a news release. "Also located were 44 small Zip-lock-type plastic baggies, a marijuana grinder, and a 'High Times' magazine."

For more on the story see Wednesday's Standard Democrat.