On Saturday, December 6, two individuals from Brandon, MS were arrested following a traffic stop in Rankin County. According to a news article at Fox5Vegas, 30-year-old Tracie Burt and 37-year-old Thomas Allen Jr. were in the vehicle which was pulled over at approximately 9 p.m. by Rankin County police. A five-month-old baby was also inside the vehicle.
Upon pulling the car over, police found 80 grams of methamphetamine inside the vehicle. Burt and Allen were charged with child endangerment, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of more than 30 grams of meth ice, and five counts of misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance. The two also face additional charges, Burt with disorderly conduct, open container, and introducing contraband into a correctional facility, and Allen with DUI, DUI child endangerment, tampering with evidence, careless driving, and more.
The article claimed the street value of the methamphetamine found in the vehicle to be about $8,000. Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey said that this was a “large amount of street level dope,” and that it was destined toward the young men and women of Rankin County.
Possession of large amounts of illegal drugs or substances is a serious crime in any state, resulting in harsh criminal penalties for those convicted. In the state of Michigan, possession of any amount of meth will result in a maximum of 10 years in prison along with fines of up to $15,000. The penalties a person will face if found guilty depend on the type and amount of drug involved, the individual’s criminal history, whether weapons were involved, and other factors. If someone is convicted a second time for possession of more than 50 grams of any Schedule I or II drug, including methamphetamines, it could result in life in prison according to Michigan Penal Code 333.7413.
Being charged with possession of any illicit substance, whether meth, marijuana, cocaine, heroin, or prescription drugs is a serious matter. Depending on the amount a person has in his or her possession, charges could be ‘trumped up’ by prosecutors to possession with intent to deliver charges, which leads to even harsher punishment. Whether you have been arrested or are under investigation, it is vital that you consult with a skilled and aggressive Michigan drug crime attorney immediately.