Joshua Williams 

THOMASVILLE- In the early hours of Saturday morning, Thomasville Police Department Officer Melvin Ray was on patrol in the area of Wright Street, when he pulled over a suspicious vehicle, leading to the arrests of Joshua Williams, Stacy Jackson, Bernard Yearby and Zachariyah Yearby. 

According to reports, Ray was on patrol when he observed a Dodge Ram, driven by Williams, stopped at a stop sign. The vehicle reportedly was stationary for a long period of time, causing Ray to pass it. 

Once Ray passed the vehicle, he noticed it was still at a stop, so he turned around. The driver then began to slowly drive through neighborhoods, where Ray observed the vehicle swerve several times over the yellow lines, at which point Ray stopped the vehicle to conduct a traffic stop. 

Ray made contact with Williams and asked him if he had been drinking, due to the swerving. Williams told Ray he had not been drinking, however Ray detected the smell of alcohol on Williams’ breath. 

Ray then asked Williams to perform a series of tests to determine if he was under the influence. Williams declined to take any of the test, at which point he was arrested by Ray for a suspected DUI. 

Following Williams’ arrest, other occupants in the vehicle asked if they were allowed to leave the stop. Ray advised that they were free to go, but as they opened the door, Ray smelled the strong odor of marijuana. 

Ray then located a backpack in the back-seat that contained multi colored baggies used for packaging marijuana. 

As other officers arrived onscene, the additional passengers, Jackson, Bernard and Zachariyah were detained. 

Ray began searching the vehicle and backpack for any additional contraband. Inside the backpack, he located a large clear plastic bag, containing three smaller bags of suspected marijuana. He also discovered multicolored pills believed to be ecstasy, along with two handguns in the center console of the vehicle. 

Ray asked the driver and passengers who the pills belonged to, but none of the occupants claimed them. Agent Stanaland with the Drug Squad was then contacted to take command of the incident. 

All subjects were placed under arrest for possession of a Schedule I substance, while the narcotics and firearms were turned over to Stanaland as evidence. 

Williams was issued additional citations for DUI and failure to maintain lane.