Traffic stop for dark windows leads to multiple felony drug charges

It is more common than many would think to have a routine traffic stop turn into something different. That was the case on April 23 when a Snellville man was pulled over for excessive window tint and ended up with drug, traffic and weapons charges.

Anthony Jackson, 24, of Snellville, was charged with three counts of felony drug possession, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, convicted felon possessing a weapon, non-labeled prescription drugs, misdemeanor marijuana, obscured/missing license plate, open container and excessive window tint, according to Fayette County Jail records.

Fayetteville Police Department spokesperson Ann Marie Burdett said an officer at approximately 11 a.m. on April 23 was patrolling Ga. Highway 85 at Roberts Road and observing traffic traveling southbound.

The officer observed a silver sedan with a tinted windshield and darkly tinted side windows. The officer stated he could not see the occupants inside the vehicle, and the vehicle had a tinted tag cover that concealed the license plate, Burdett said, adding that the officer conducted a traffic stop in the Home Depot parking lot at the Fayette Pavilion.

“The officer exited his patrol car and approached the silver sedan on the passenger side. The officer met with Anthony Jackson as he sat in his vehicle,” said Burdett. “The officer immediately encountered a strong odor of marijuana coming from within the car. The officer also observed a firearm that was stuck to the dash under the steering wheel.”

Burdett said the officer explained the reason for the traffic stop and requested to see Jackson’s driver’s license.

“Jackson began looking around the vehicle and opened the center console. The officer observed a package that appeared to contain marijuana,” Burdett said.

Jackson informed the officer he did not have his driver’s license. The officer asked Jackson to step out of the vehicle to gather information. Jackson was then asked about the strong odor of marijuana emitting from the vehicle and his person. He was also asked if there was any marijuana in the vehicle. Jackson said the marijuana was in the center console, Burdett noted.

“Jackson was searched, and a large sum of U.S. currency was found on his person and a black plastic package,” according to Burdett. “The package contained one yellow and one white pill. Through police investigation, it was learned the yellow pill was identified as Percocet, and the white pill was identified as Oxycodone.”

Burdett said a search of the vehicle revealed nine “Low Orbit” THC Vape Cartridges, a package of a green leafy substance of suspected marijuana, a Glock 19 9-mm handgun, an open bottle of liquor and a grinder used for consuming marijuana.

The items were confiscated, with a background check revealing that Jackson is a convicted felon.

Jackson was arrested and transported to the Fayette County Jail.