Man arrested for narcotics, firearms in traffic stop

Published 3:48 pm Friday, March 1, 2019

Georgia State Patrol made a traffic stop Wednesday that led to a narcotics bust in Bainbridge.

Bainbridge Public Safety Investigator Davina Thomas was requested by Georgia State Patrol to assist at the intersection of MLK Jr. Drive and Wheat Street in reference to narcotics located in a vehicle during a road check. GSP Sergeant Will West and GSP Trooper Marc Marchant searched a vehicle and located a black SCCY 9mm firearm, a small clear bag containing a white substance suspected to be crack cocaine, a black digital scale, and two clear bags containing a crystal-like substance suspected to be methamphetamine.

GSP dispatch advised that the handgun was reported as stolen out of the Decatur County Sheriff’s Office. The driver of the vehicle, Paul Anthony Hart (35) of Bainbridge, was booked and fingerprinted for the following charges:

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Possession Firearm or Knife During Commission of, or Attempt to Commit Crime (Felony)

Weapon – Possession of Firearm by Convicted Felon (Felony)

Theft by Receiving Stolen Property (Felony)

Controlled Substance – Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine (Felony)

Controlled Substance – Trafficking in Methamphetamine (Felony)

The other two occupants of the vehicle were taken to Public Safety Headquarters and interviewed by Investigator Thomas and released.