Photo: Edward Everett Call III
Reading or sending a text message while driving caused a Cotter man to get much more than a traffic ticket.
Thirty-one-year-old Edward Everett Call III wound up facing a number of drug charges stemming from the traffic stop.
Some of the charges were dismissed by the state, and Call pled no contest to the remaining charges during a session of Baxter County Circuit Court Thursday and was placed on probation for six years.
He is also being required to undergo alcohol and drug screening and attend meetings designed to deal with addictions.
Call was stopped by a Gassville police officer in mid-July last year after the officer noticed the Cotter man had his cellphone up in plain view, apparently “sending or reading a text message.”
The officer reported Call was also not wearing a seatbelt.
According to the probable cause affidavit, after being stopped, Call was reported to have displayed erratic behavior consistent with being under the influence of a controlled substance.
The Gassville officer reported when he asked Call if he had anything illegal in his possession or in the vehicle, he was alleged to have become emotional and said he “was going away for a long time.” He told the officer he had “stuff” in his right pants pocket.
The officer reported finding a bag of marijuana and a smoking device in the pocket. Call raised his right pants leg and a capped syringe fell to the ground.
The officer cuffed Call and asked him if there was anything illegal in the vehicle. Call said there was – under the driver’s seat. The office reported finding a container with six pills – identified as alprazolam, clonazepam and morphine.
In addition, a quantity of marijuana and methamphetamine was found, according to the affidavit.
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