Martin man in Stephens County Jail after traffic stop uncovers drugs, weapons

The Stephens County Sheriff’s Office along with the Georgia State Patrol recently arrested a Martin man following a traffic stop.

According to Stephens County Sheriff Randy Shirley, on April 13, Stephens County Sheriff’s Deputy Carolyn Gibson was assisting the Georgia State Patrol in conducting a traffic stop on Scott Road near Highway 17.

During the traffic stop, Gibson could smell the odor of unburnt marijuana coming from inside the stopped vehicle.

The deputy began searching the vehicle and recovered five individually prepackaged baggies containing suspected marijuana, two containers with suspected methamphetamine, and weighing scales.

While continuing the search, Shirley says, the deputy also located one long-gun and three revolvers along with various other drug-related paraphernalia.

Shirley says Gibson and the Georgia State Patrol Trooper placed the driver, identified as 59-year-old Richard Maxwell, of Martin, under arrest.

Maxwell is charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of drug-related paraphernalia, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

Maxwell is currently housed in the Stephens County Jail with a bond set at $63,000.