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On Monday, January 25 around 10:15pm, Bainbridge Public Safety Officer Gaston Corson was traveling on Shotwell Street when he observed a vehicle without headlights. Corson performed a stop on the vehicle near the intersection of Shotwell and Russ Streets. As Corson approached the vehicle to make contact with the male driver, later identified as John Hester, he could smell the distinct odor of marijuana coming from inside.

Hester agreed to a search of his vehicle. Officers located two plastic baggies inside of the center console. One of the baggies contained 2 small white rocks which tested positive for Cocaine and 114 white pills which tested positive for Alprazolam. The other baggie contained a crystal-like substance which tested positive for Methamphetamine. A grinder, commonly used for the processing and consumption of marijuana, was also found inside the console. Additional items located inside of the vehicle were a bottle containing 9 additional Alprazolam pills, a digital scale, 2 rifles, and ammunition for the rifles.

John Thomas Hester, 23, of Cairo was arrested and charged with:
*Possession of a Controlled Substance – Cocaine (FELONY)
*Possession of a Controlled Substance – Methamphetamine (FELONY)
*Manufacture, Delivery, Distribution, Possession, or Sale of a Controlled Substance (FELONY)
*2 Counts: Possession of Firearm During Commission of a Crime (FELONY)
*Controlled Substance – Drugs Not in Original Container
*Controlled Substance – Possession of Drug-Related Objects
*Headlight Requirement
*Driving Without License