As a drug task force member waited in the drive-thru line at a local restaurant on May 27, he noticed a vehicle in the line strike a curb and then almost side-swipe the building.
According to information filed in Independence County Circuit Court, the agent, Dammon McGilton, noted he could smell burned marijuana coming from the vehicle. McGilton alerted dispatch for an officer to make contact with the vehicle, the affidavit of probable cause for arrest said, but before that could get done, the vehicle driver received his food order and drove away.
The affidavit said McGilton then followed as the vehicle went into downtown Batesville and eventually pulled into the Boswell Street Apartments.
McGilton then made the stop, identified himself, and noticed the driver, Michael A. Billingsley, 23, apparently putting something into a purse inside the car, the affidavit said. McGilton also noticed a female front-seat passenger and two teenagers in the back.
After a check was run on Billingsley, he was found to be wanted by the Arkansas Board of Parole, Independence County Circuit Court, the Ward Police Department, and the Searcy Police Department. Billingsley was then placed into custody.
When McGilton told the female about seeing Billingsley place something into her purse, she said, “…he gave me a gun and bag of dope,” according to the affidavit.
McGilton then found a 9mm handgun and a baggie of crystal meth in the purse, the affidavit said. He also noted the gun was loaded with eight rounds of ammunition and was within reach of the driver.
Billingsley was checked, and a glass smoking pipe was found in his back pocket, the affidavit said.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Independence County Jail could not take Billingsley, so he was transported to the Stone County Jail, where authorities reported finding a baggie of meth in his right shoe, according to the court information.
Billingsley has been charged with four felonies: possession of meth; simultaneously possessing drugs and a firearm; possession of drug paraphernalia; and possession of a firearm by a certain person (previously convicted felon).
Prosecutors are also asking that Billingsley be tried under the Habitual Offender Law, having previously been convicted of 4 or more felonies.
His bond was set at $10,000.
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