Interior Journal
Staff Report

CRAB ORCHARD — Two people were arrested Sunday morning after police found cash and a large amount of drugs during a traffic stop in Crab Orchard, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office said.

Sgt. Sim Thacker was traveling on Main Street in Crab Orchard around 9:30 a.m. Sunday when he stopped a car for traffic violations.

During the stop, Thacker determined the two people in the car, 36-year-old Gary Wayne Caldwell and 45-year-old Melanie Ray, both had outstanding warrants.

The officer began searching the vehicle and found a large amount of money and approximately 289 grams of methamphetamine, a bag containing several pills identified as Clonazepam, approximately six grams of suspected marijuana and a set of digital scales with white residue on them.

Caldwell was arrested and charged with two counts of trafficking in a controlled substance, trafficking in marijuana, operating on a suspended driver’s license, no registration, failure to maintain required insurance and flagrant non-support.

Ray was arrested and charged on two contempt of court warrants.

Deputy Mike Mullins assisted Thacker in the traffic stop.