Posted by Travis Uresk | Dec. 30th, 2022 | Drugs & Weapon |
By Travis Uresk
12/30/22
On December 8th, 2022, A complainant contacted dispatch and informed them of a driver in a black Ford truck with a flatbed and welding equipment was driving unsafely and had pointed a pistol at him. UHP Officer Searle contacted the caller, and he explained that the vehicle would speed up, slow down, and leave his lane.
The caller explained both of them were traveling eastbound, coming into Vernal. The caller explained he flashed his high beams at the vehicle from behind to get the driver to focus on his driving.
The caller observed the driver of the black Ford extend his arm through the driver's side window and wave a black pistol at him near mile marker 132 on SR-40.
During this conversation, Sgt. Watkins observed the black Ford and conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle in Joann's business parking lot. Officer Searle instructed the caller to meet him in Lowe's parking lot. The complainant informed the Officer he was on his way to Colorado and didn't want to do anything.
Officer Searle instructed the caller to pull into the Lowe's parking lot just in case he needed to ask him some more questions.
Officer Searle arrived at Joann's parking lot and spoke with Sgt. Watkins and Deputy Roth. Sgt. After stopping the vehicle, Watkins explained that the driver, who was identified as 42-year-old Jeremy Jim Ross, stepped out with his hands up.
Sgt. Watkins informed Officer Searle he Mirandized Ross, and Ross agreed to speak with him. Sgt. Watkins told Officer Searle Ross waved a firearm at a semi behind him after observing the semi following him too close and flash his high beams at him.
Deputy Roth informed Officer Searle he had retrieved a black pistol from the vehicle, which was located on the driver's side of the center console.
Deputy Roth also informed Officer Searle he observed the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle.
Deputy Roth told Officer Searle he cleared the handgun, and there was no round in the chamber.
Officer Searle reminded Ross of his Miranda Rights and asked him to tell me what happened. Ross explained he was traveling from Roosevelt to Vernal when a semi he had just passed caught back up to him and started following him extremely close.
Ross explained he observed the semi flash his lights at him from behind. Ross said he feared for his safety, so he retrieved his handgun to the left of the center console and waved it out the driver-side window.
Ross explained after he did this, the semi backed off.
Officer Searle asked Ross if he pointed the handgun at the semi, and he informed me he did not, just straight out the window. Officer Searle asked Ross to tell him about the marijuana. Ross explained he was having medical problems and had recently started using marijuana.
Ross explained he had a small jar in the center console.
Officer Searle asked Ross if he had a medical marijuana card, and he informed me he did not. Officer Searle asked Ross when the last time he used marijuana was, and he explained that it was a few days ago.
He had Ross perform the standardized field sobriety tests and determined he could operate the motor vehicle safely.
Officer Searle performed a search of the vehicle. Behind the front center console, he found a large glass jar about halfway full of a green leafy substance with the odor of marijuana. In the center console, he found one green pipe with a burnt green leafy substance, a black pipe with a burnt leafy substance, a black grinder with a green leafy substance, a white THC vape pen, a small blue jar with a green leafy substance, and one container of synthetic urine.
All the contraband containing a green leafy substance had an odor consistent with marijuana, and the burnt leafy substance had an odor of burnt marijuana. Officer Searle asked Ross where the large glass jar of marijuana came from. Ross explained he got it from a friend. He asked Ross who that friend was as the marijuana was not from a known dispensary. Ross informed the Trooper he didn't want to talk about it.
Officer Searle asked Ross where he got the synthetic urine from, and he replied from a smoke shop in Roosevelt. At 7:54 pm, Officer Searle placed Ross under arrest.
A1 Empire came and took custody of the vehicle, and Officer Searle transported Ross to the Uintah County jail.
During this time, the caller had not arrived on the scene and would not answer his phone.
At 8:45 pm, Ross was booked into jail for possessing a dangerous weapon (firearm) by a restricted person, threatening with or using a dangerous weapon in a fight or quarrel, possession of controlled substance marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of synthetic urine.
Officer Searle arrived at the section five field office and performed a field test on the green leafy substance from the small blue jar. The field test tested positive for marijuana.
The firearm, marijuana, and paraphernalia were then booked into evidence.
The synthetic urine was photographed and disposed of.
Officer Searle again attempted to contact the caller but could not reach him at this time.
Comments