April 16, 2024 - Traffic Stop Leads to Drug Arrest on Parolee
by Bo Gill

Deputy Robert Boyce was patrolling Depot Street on Saturday when he noticed a black GMC Yukon swerving over the center yellow line and also observed darker than legal tint on the vehicle's windows. The vehicle made a left onto Bethany Lane, and that is where Deputy Boyce made the traffic stop.

As Deputy Boyce was speaking with the suspect, Mr. Leon Terrill Phillips, 53, of Bethany Lane, he learned that Mr. Phillips has a pending charge for DUI and is on parole. He also noticed that Mr. Phillips had an open container inside the vehicle. Deputy Boyce performed a parole search on the vehicle and found an open bottle of liquor and a folded $1 bill with a small cut straw beside it. Inside the dollar bill was a white powdery substance which field tested positive for cocaine. Inside the straw was a matching substance. Mr. Phillips denied it was his but understood it was in his vehicle that was in his possession.

Mr. Phillips was placed under arrest for Simple Possession Sch.II and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Upon booking, it was learned that Mr. Phillips had an active Violation of Parole warrant, and Deputy Boyce then served that warrant to him. Mr. Phillips is being held at the Bedford County Jail on a $4,000 bond.