During a Sept. 13 traffic stop at Highway 167 and Community Drive in Southside, Independence County Sheriff’s Deputy Johnny Byler saw a backseat passenger in the stopped vehicle throw a pill bottle into the vehicle as he was exiting it.
In the incident report, Byler said he began to take the passenger, identified as William Daniel Bewley, 49, into custody so he could find the pill bottle and check its contents. The deputy said Bewley then refused to cooperate, and a struggle ensued.
After a few minutes, Byler noted he gained control of Bewley and placed him in hand restraints. The deputy said he then found the pill bottle in the vehicle, and it contained a crystalline substance which tested positive as methamphetamine, according to the report.
Bewley was taken to jail to later be charged with felony possession of a controlled substance and misdemeanor resisting arrest.
Byler said he was assisted in the stop by Greg Tebbets, an Arkansas State Police investigator, and Blake Cruz, an agent with the 16th Judicial District Drug Task Force.
Image via Independence County Sheriff’s Department
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