Picayune Police arrest two during traffic stop

Timothy O'Neal Magee Ashley Nervetta Popovits

On December 28th, at around 2:30pm, a Picayune Police patrolman observed conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle after it was observed driving recklessly on South Beech street near Jackson Landing Road.

According to a press release from Assistant Police Chief Jeremy Magri, the patrolman approached the vehicle and requested a valid driver’s license and insurance card from the driver, later identified as Timothy O’Neal Magee, age 41, of Bassfield, MS. Magee was unable to provide either to the patrolman. A passenger in the vehicle was identified as Ashley Nervetta Popovits,age 30, of Pearl River, LA.

While speaking with Magee and Popovits, the patrolman smelled a strong odor of what appeared to be marijuana coming from the vehicle. A narcotics detective arrived at the scene and conducted a search of the vehicle.

During the search, the detective located a black digital scale containing a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana and clear plastic bags were located in the center console of the vehicle. The officers also located a black bag containing a mason jar which containing a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana underneath the front passenger seat along with a hand bag containing a glass pipe containing a crystal substance believed to be Methamphetamine and a syringe.

The detective learned through investigation that the narcotics were intended to be sold to an unknown source.

Both Magee and Popovits were placed under arrest for Conspiracy to Distribute within 1500 feet of a Church and Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute within 1500 feet of a Church. Magee was cited for Careless Driving, No Driver’s License, and No Insurance. Both Magee and Popovits were transported to the Criminal Justice Center, booked, and incarcerated.