U-R update

MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. — A Washington County man was arrested in Milledgeville last week on drug and gun charges. Police said he was in possession of two ounces of methamphetamine.

The suspect reportedly told police during a traffic stop that he was headed to Wal-Mart to deliver the illegal drugs to someone.

Although an estimated street amount of the drug was not given, a gram of crystal meth can be valued between $60 and $100, according to Milledgeville Police Department Maj. Michael Hudson, commander of the criminal investigations division.

“The officer found approximately 56 grams,” Hudson said. “Not sure on exact weight because it (drugs) will be officially tested by the crime lab.”

The suspect was identified as Jerry Lovente Boss, of Tennille Oconee Road, Tennille, according to an incident report filed by Milledgeville Police Department Officer Michael Thompson.

Boss was charged with the following offenses:

n Violation of the Georgia Controlled Substances Act (VGCSA) for trafficking in methamphetamine;

n VGCSA for possession of methamphetamine; and

n Possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.

After his arrest, Boss was taken to the Milledgeville Police Department to be booked on the charges and jailed.

Thompson said in his report that he was patrolling an area of U.S. Highway 441 and saw the driver of a Chevrolet Impala having problems maintaining his lane of travel.

Just beyond Magnolia Apartments, the officer said he stopped the driver of the car, later identified as Boss.

During the traffic stop, Thompson said he asked Boss why he was having trouble maintaining his lane or travel. The officer said Boss told him he was tired, sick and going to Wal-Mart to buy some cold medicine.

When Boss was stopped, a passenger, identified as Joshua Reed Benson of Daytona Beach, Fla., was with him, Thompson said.

The officer noted in the report that because he was familiar with Boss’ past drug addiction that he asked him if there were any drugs in the car. The suspect first said, “No.”

Thompson said he then explained to Boss that telling the truth was better than lying.

Boss agreed with the officer about telling the truth and reportedly admitted he had drugs in his car.

When Thompson asked Boss what kind of drugs, the suspect replied, “meth,” according to the incident report. The suspect also reportedly told the officer that he had two ounces of the drug and that he was making a delivery of it at Wal-Mart off North Columbia Street.

Thompson said the suspect also told him that the methamphetamine could be found in the console between the seats of the car before he gave the officer verbal consent to search for them.

A short time later, the police officer found a glass pipe used to smoke methamphetamine as well as a large bag of methamphetamine, according to the report. Boss also reportedly told the officer that there should be a second bag somewhere.

The other man with Boss reportedly told the officer that bag could be found under the passenger’s seat.

Boss told the officer that when he saw blue lights from the patrol car and knew that he was going to be stopped, he reached into his jacket pocket and threw the bag of meth into Benson’s lap.

There was no mention in the officer’s report of whether or not any charges were filed against Boss’ passenger.

Police also later discovered a .38-caliber pistol in a blue tote bag.