Name:
McGuffin, Chantel Spring
Date of Booking:
03/04/2023
Reason(s) For Booking:
Schedule II-Controlled Substances
Possession of Drug Related Objects
Crossing of guard lines with weapons, intoxicants, or drugs
Tampering with evidence
Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the official initial incident report. The Georgia Gazette does not fix any spelling or grammatical errors that may exist. Any changes or redactions made by our staff are placed inside brackets. Some errors may exist. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The topics discussed may be sensitive to some readers. Discretion is advised.]
On 03/04/2023 at 0419 hours I, Dep. Salter, was patrolling the area of Macon Road and Perry Parkway when I observed a black 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche (GA Tag #[REDACTED BY AGENCY] VIN: [REDACTED]) with non-functioning tag lights traveling south on Macon Road.
A traffic stop was performed on the Chevrolet with the final stop being on Macon Road and Inverness Drive. Central Dispatch advised that the Chevrolet’s registration was showing expired as of 03/04/2023. I made contact with the driver, Clinton McGuffin (W/M DOB: [REDACTED BY AGENCY]/1964), and advised him I was Dep. Salter with Houston County Sheriff’s Office. I advised Clinton the reason for the stop was due to the non-functioning tag lights. I advised Clinton that the registration on the Chevrolet also expired.
Dep. Poole arrived on the scene and made contact with the passengers, Chantel McGuffin (W/F DOB: [REDACTED BY AGENCY]/1980) and Cynthia Milam (W/F DOB: [REDACTED BY AGENCY]/1984). Chantel was located in the front passenger seat. Cynthia was located in the right rear passenger seat. Dep. Poole provided Chantel and Cynthia’s driver’s licenses to me. Clinton, Chantel, and Cynthia’s information were provided to Central Dispatch who advised that they had valid licenses with no warrants.
I had Clinton exit the Chevrolet to show him the reason for the traffic stop. I advised Clifton he would need to fix the tag lights and update his registration. I then requested consent to search Clinton’s Chevrolet for firearms and narcotics. Clifton complied with my request.
I instructed Chantel and Cynthia to exit the Chevrolet and wait in front of my patrol vehicle while a search was conducted. A consent search was conducted and I located a black plastic container that contained suspected marijuana residue. I located a plastic bag containing a crystal-like substance that I believed to be methamphetamine in the seat Chantel was sitting in. I located a glass pipe in a purse that was located on the front passenger floorboard where Chantel was sitting. I located a black scale in a purse that was located on the front passenger floorboard where Chantel was sitting. I located plastic baggies in the rear passenger area of the Chevrolet.
Due to the illegal narcotic being found where Chantel was sitting, Chantel was placed into custody with her hands affixed behind her back with handcuffs that were checked for proper fit and double-locked. Chantel was placed into the rear of my patrol vehicle and seat belted in for safety. Chantel advised she was not currently pregnant and not postpartum within six months.
Cynthia and Clinton were detained with their hands affixed behind their backs with handcuffs that were checked for proper fit and double-locked. Cynthia was placed into the rear of my patrol vehicle and Clinton was placed into the rear of Dep. Poole’s patrol vehicle. Cynthia and Clinton were detained due to the consent search changing to a probable cause search due to the illegal narcotic being located.
A further search of the Chevrolet was conducted with no further illegal narcotics being found. Clinton and Cynthia were removed from the back of the patrol vehicles and released from being detained. Clinton and Cynthia were released from the scene of the traffic stop.
Clinton was given a verbal warning for the tag light and the expired registration. Clinton did not appear to be impaired and appeared safe to operate his motor vehicle.
Before leaving the scene I asked Chantel if she had anything illegal in her possession before we departed for Houston County Detention Center. Chantel advised she did not have anything illegal in her possession. Chantel was transported to Houston County Detention Center without incident.
Chantel was removed from the rear of my patrol vehicle and I asked her if she had anything illegal in her possession before we walked inside Houston County Detention Center. Chantel stated she did not have anything illegal in her possession. The rear of my patrol vehicle was checked for contraband with none being found.
Jail staff asked Chantel if she had anything illegal in her possession and Chantel stated she did not have anything illegal in her possession. Jail Staff performed a search of Chantel’s person and located a plastic bag containing suspected methamphetamine between Chantel’s legs. Jail staff turned over the contraband to me.
A booking information form and property form were completed for Chantel. The booking information form and property form were turned over to jail staff.
An evidence voucher was completed for the suspected methamphetamine, glass pipe, scales, and plastic baggies which were then placed in the property department as evidence. A GBI submission form was completed for the suspected methamphetamine.
I will be seeking a warrant against Chantel for possession of a Schedule II narcotic with intent to distribute, possession of drug-related objects, crossing the guard line, and tampering with evidence at the next available date.
[End of Narrative]