Disturbance results in two drug arrests

— What began as a “rolling disturbance” call in Gravette Thursday afternoon ended with the arrest of a man and woman and resulting drug charges.

Gravette officer Braxton Handle received a call concerning a disturbance in a moving vehicle which he later located at the Glenn Duffy Elementary School parking lot.

Cpl. Jeff Turner arrived to assist. He and Handle approached the vehicle to determine if there was any trouble and, in the conversation, Officer Turner asked the driver of the vehicle, identified as Jason Russell, 28, if he “had anything in the car.”

Being informed there were “some pills in the console,” further investigation also revealed abag with a white powdery substance, both of which tested positive for controlled substances.

The passenger in the car was identified as Stephanie Pharris, 28, of Gravette. Officer Scott Gillming, who arrived to assist with a search of the vehicle, discovered a bag belonging to the female subject. It contained what was described in the report as drug paraphernalia and a white powdery substance that tested positive as well.

Russell was found to have an active felony warrant in Oklahoma for possession of a controlled substance and fraudulent use of a credit card.

Both were arrested on drug possession charges and transported to Benton County Jail to await a bond hearing.

There was no involvement with the school or students, Officer Gillming stated.

News, Pages 5 on 01/16/2013