Traffic stop yields cash, guns, drugs

The arrest of a man driving erratically in Hope, Ark., and the discovery of 20 weapons, drugs and $11,963 cash in the vehicle, may have stopped a shooting incident, says Hempstead County, Ark., Sheriff James Singleton.

James Wesley Anderson of Litchfield, Ill. was arrested recently in Hope after Deputy Derick Bunn witnessed the erratic driver.

"I think the deputy prevented something from happening. You don't mix fire and water like he had with the guns, drugs and money. The way things today have been happening," said Singleton.

"He had high dollar guns including AK47s," he said.

"With those guns and the ammunition, he intended to do something," said Singleton.

"When he got out of the car, he was asking for a lawyer. The only thing he told the deputy was he was going to a beach. He didn't say which beach," he said.

He hasn't said why he was in Hope, said Singleton.

Anderson will have his arraignment to enter a plea Jan. 23 in the Hempstead County Circuit Court, according to court records.

The motorist in Hope, Ark., ran stop signs, accelerated to a high rate of speed, then went airborne, crash landing and causing sparks to fly from underneath the vehicle.

It was all watched by Deputy Bunn, who was standing outside of the Hempstead County Sheriff's Department, said Singleton.

After the driver's errors, the officers found $11,963 in cash, 20 guns and about 1,000 rounds of ammunition.

The vehicle stopped at the stop sign at 4th and Washington and turned north towards 3rd Street, where it accelerated to a high rate of speed and failed to stop at the stop sign at 3rd and Washington.

The vehicle went airborne landing on the north side of 3rd Street on Washington, causing sparks to fly from under the car.

Bunn got in his patrol car and pursued the erratic car. Bunn sped up to get behind the vehicle and activated his emergency lights and the vehicle ran the stop sign at 4th and Ferguson Street and came to a stop between 4th and 5th Streets on Ferguson.

Bunn made contact with the driver who identified himself as James Wesley Anderson of Litchfield, Ill.

Bunn smelled an odor of what he believed to be marijuana coming from the vehicle. Bunn requested for a unit of the Hope Police Department to assist him, said Singleton.

Hope officer Hunter Halliday and Bunn asked Anderson to step out of the vehicle. He refused.

Halliday stepped up to the window and also asked for Anderson to step out of the vehicle.

Hope officers Johnny Weaver and Thomas Perez arrived and also asked Anderson to step out of the vehicle.

"He stated he did not feel safe to do so," said Singleton. Weaver then attempted to open the door but Anderson pulled the door shut.

Weaver got the door open while Bunn held the door. Weaver reached in and got the keys to the car.

Weaver and Bunn got Anderson out of the vehicle and placed him in hand cuffs.

As Weaver felt around the waist he located a holster. Weaver asked where the pistol was and Anderson stated that it was in the center console.

Officer Weaver asked if anything else was in the vehicle. Anderson stated that he had several guns and marijuana in the car.

The officers located a small jar of a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana, as well as guns and drug paraphernalia. Deputy Bunn located a pistol in the center console with a full magazine and a round in the chamber.

Officers found a large glass jar partially filled with a green leafy substance located in a bag in the back seat. Also in that bag was a glove containing a white ball with a brown tar like substance.

The officers also discovered a small usable amount of a white crystal-like substance believed to be methamphetamine.

Officers also discovered $11,963 in cash and 20 firearms

Officers also found 1,000 rounds of AK 47 ammunition along with several hundred rounds of various ammunition and loaded and empty clips for all the weapons were found in the vehicle, said Singleton.

Bunn transported Anderson to the Hempstead County Detention Center in Hope where he was booked on careless and prohibited driving, disobeying a stop sign, no headlights, possession of drug paraphernalia, simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms, possession of controlled substance methamphetamine and possession of controlled substance (marijuana).

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