Four arrested after traffic stop for seatbelt violations
Picayune Police Narcotics Division were conducting active patrolling on Monday, February 5th when they observed a black Pontiac Trans Am traveling north on Highway 11 near the intersection of Highway 43 North. Detectives noticed the passengers were not wearing seatbelts and pulled the car over to conduct a traffic stop according to a press release from Assistant Police Chief Jeremy Magri.
Detectives approached the vehicle and requested a valid driver’s license from the driver of the vehicle, identified as Harald Edward Frank, age 50, of 25105 Road 269, Picayune. The detectives also asked the passengers of the vehicle to provide valid identification cards. The passengers were identified as Christopher Dale Frierson, age 39, of 61 Parkside Drive, Picayune; Julie Ann Lonadier, age 36, of 203 North Street, Purvis, MS; and Jerusha Hannah Morehead, age 45, of 168 Terry Lane, Carriere.
Top row: Harald Edward Frank and Christopher Dale Frierson
Bottom row: Julie Ann Lonadier and Jerusha Hannah Morehead
Magri’s press release states that while speaking with Frank, detectives observed a brown and chrome .25 caliber hand gun near Frank’s legs. Detectives also smelled a strong odor believed to be Marijuana emitting from the vehicle. Frank and the three passengers were asked to exit the vehicle and they complied with the request from the detectives.
A search of the vehicle was conducted and the detectives found a black box underneath the rear passenger seat which contained four large, clear plastic bags containing a crystal substance believed to be Crystal Methamphetamine. Detectives also found a glass pipe containing a burnt green leafy substance believed to be Marijuana and a white pill identified as Loratab 10mg on the rear passenger floor board.
Upon searching the trunk of the vehicle, detectives found a purple Crown Royal bag which contained two additional clear plastic bags containing a crystal substance believed to be Crystal Methamphetamine along with a glass pipe containing a crystal residue believed to be Crystal Methamphetamine.
Through further investigation, it was learned that Frank was in possession of the firearm. Frank was placed under arrest for Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute While in Possession of a Firearm, Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance While in Possession of a Firearm, Possession of Paraphernalia, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and four citations for no seatbelt. Frierson, Lonadier, and Morehead were place under arrest for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance, Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Paraphernalia, and Possession of a Controlled Substance according to Magri.
All four suspects were transported to the Criminal Justice Center, booked, and incarcerated.