An Independence County man is facing four felony counts after authorities allegedly discovered more than 10 grams of a “crystalline substance” during a White Drive traffic stop.
Court information filed Aug. 18 shows Harrison Macarthur Tovey, 31, is accused of possession of methamphetamine more than 10 grams but less than 200 with the purpose to deliver; possession of drug paraphernalia with the purpose to analyze methamphetamine; simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms; and possession of firearms by certain persons.
The suspect’s arrest affidavit says Tovey was the passenger in a Ford Bronco that was stopped by Independence County Sheriff’s Deputy Frank Ramirez on White Drive after Ramirez reported seeing the Bronco leave the roadway and almost go off into a ditch on Princess Drive.
By the time Ramirez caught up with the Bronco on White Drive, he initiated the traffic stop after also noting the vehicle’s license plate was expired.
The driver of the Bronco had a valid driver’s license and showed to be on active supervision with a signed search waiver on file, the affidavit says. Ramirez noted in the court information he then asked the front-seat passenger, Tovey, to provide identification. According to the affidavit, Tovey said he didn’t have any ID and provided an apparently false name.
After patting down the driver and finding no weapons, Ramirez then began a patdown of the suspect, who pulled away from the deputy during the process. Ramirez then reported he discovered and removed a handgun from Tovey’s pants. At that point, the court information notes Ramirez placed Tovey in hand restraints.
According to the affidavit, Ramirez suspected Tovey had initially given the deputy a false name. When Ramirez again asked for his real name, Tovey complied. After a check with dispatch on his real name, the affidavit says dispatch confirmed Tovey’s ID and told the deputy Tovey was on parole supervision with a signed search warrant. Dispatch also told Ramirez that Tovey had an arrest warrant from Arkansas Community Corrections.
Tovey was then arrested and placed into Ramirez’s patrol vehicle. The court info reports a subsequent search yielded:
- $2,600 in U.S. currency on the passenger seat of the Bronco
- A backpack behind the Bronco’s passenger seat containing one baggie of a crystalline substance that field-tested positive for meth along with one baggie of a “green vegetable-like substance,” a vacuum seal machine, vacuum seal bags, and a digital weighing scale
- And a wallet containing two debit cards with Harrison Tovey’s name.
Ramirez also noted in the court information that all the evidence “was in close proximity to each other.”
According to the arrest affidavit, Ramirez released the driver from the traffic stop and transported Tovey to the Independence County Detention Center.
Harrison Tovey (pictured below in his detention center booking image) is also being charged as a habitual offender. His bond has been set at $100,000.
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