Drugs, gun found in traffic stop
Staff writer
A traffic stop at 12:33 a.m. Sunday outside the Tabor College visitor center in Hillsboro led to seizure of a weapon and drugs with an estimated street value of $630 to $940.
Included were an ounce of methamphetamine, 0.9 of a gram of heroin, 4 grams of marijuana, and an oil burner regarded as drug manufacturing paraphernalia.
According to data from federal drug enforcement agencies, an ounce of meth is enough for more than 100 hits, typically at $5 per hit.
The heroin seized would be enough for 18 “baggies,” each bringing from $5 to $20 on the street.
The marijuana would be enough for 12 “joints” and would fetch $40 to $80 on the street.
Before radioing that he was stopping a vehicle at 12:33 a.m. at Jefferson and D Sts., Hillsboro officer John Huebert informed Marion officer Aaron Slater that he would need assistance.
Slater is the handler for Marion’s drug-sniffing dog, Blue.
Ten minutes after Huebert stopped the vehicle, driven by someone he had recognized as having a suspended license, Slater radioed dispatchers that Blue had indicated the presence of drugs at the rear door on the driver’s side of the vehicle.
Huebert then checked a driver’s license, verified that it was suspended, and checked the serial number on a Ruger LCP .380 semi-automatic pistol.
The gun is advertised widely as being “an ideal concealed-carry weapon.”
Upon learning that his suspect was listed in a database of felons not allowed to possess firearms, Huebert informed dispatchers that he had taken the suspect into custody.
He also asked dispatchers to call a second Hillsboro officer by cell phone and advise him “that he can discontinue his current activity.”
Police would not comment on what that message might have meant.
Booked into Marion County jail after the traffic stop was a 47-year-old Hillsboro resident with a long record of drug-related arrests.
Ardell P. Jones was jailed on suspicion of criminal possession of a weapon by a felon, distributing heroin and other drugs, driving without a valid license, and possessing marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and other drugs.
He was released 17 hours later on $10,000 surety bond.
Jail records indicate that Jones had been jailed four other times since May 2, 2018, spending at portions of a total of 16 days behind bars.
Those arrests were on suspicion of attempting to distribute drugs, possessing marijuana with two or more prior convictions, attempting to use or possess drug paraphernalia, and driving after his license had been canceled, suspended, or revoked. He also was jailed on an unspecified warrant and other unspecified charges.
According to court records, Jones formally was charged May 18, 2018, with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a school; possession of paraphernalia with intent to cultivate a controlled substance; possession of drug paraphernalia, marijuana and opiates; and acquiring proceeds from a drug transaction.
He forfeited $947 seized by Hillsboro police in his May 2, 2018, arrest.
Jones pleaded no contest July 3, 2019, to speeding and having no proof of insurance. He pleaded no contest Sept. 9, 2020, to theft.
On Oct. 6, Jones was ordered to pay Central National Bank $181.86 plus costs and interest.
The state department of revenue filed a tax lien Jan. 7 for unpaid income tax.