HAMLET — What started as an attempted routine traffic stop turned into a chase involving three departments and led to drug and weapon charges being filed against the defendant.
According to investigators with the Hamlet Police Department, around 7:30 a.m. Feb. 2, an officer on patrol noticed a vehicle drive through a red light and tried to pull over the driver.
Police say the driver kept going west down U.S. 74 Business toward Rockingham and the Hamlet officer was called off the chase, which was picked up by the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.
The driver, Russell Kadeem Jackson Jr., reportedly passed a stopped school bus and wound up, at one point, driving west in the eastbound lane, according to police. Jackson also allegedly threw a pistol from his vehicle near Griffin Toyota.
Police say Jackson also threw out a bag of drugs near Perdue Farms on Long Drive before wrecking the vehicle and was soon after apprehended by the Rockingham Police Department.
A search of Jackson’s person and vehicle reportedly netted 50 grams of marijuana, 32 grams of MDMA (ecstasy) and a 12-gauge sawed-off shotgun, according to a Facebook post from HPD. Officers also reportedly seized digital scales and three cellphones.
Online court records show Jackson is charged with one felony count each of: fleeing to elude arrest with a motor vehicle; possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver MDMA; and possession of a weapon of mass destruction.
Misdemeanor charges are: possession of a half-ounce to ounce and a half of marijuana; possession of drug paraphernalia; maintaining a vehicle, dwelling or place for a controlled substance; and carrying a concealed gun.
Jackson also faces the following traffic charges: reckless driving to endanger; failing to stop for a stopped bus; failing to heed a light or siren; exceeding the posted speed; exceeding safe speed; failing to stop at a red light; unsafe lane change; driving the wrong way on a dual lane road; and unsafe passing with oncoming traffic.
Jackson was booked into the Richmond County Jail under a $25,000 secured bond and released the following day, according to jail records. He is scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 17.
Online court records show Jackson also has the following pending charges from last year in Moore County: two counts of trafficking in MDMA; one count of possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver MDMA; possession with intent to sell or deliver a Schedule VI controlled substance (marijuana); possession of marijuana paraphernalia; and carrying a concealed gun.
Jackson’s next court date for those charges is scheduled for April 18.
Records with the N.C. Department of Public Safety Division of Adult Correction show Jackson has no prior convictions in the state.
All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
