Mariella Morehead

Name:
Morehead, Mariella Ilene

Date of Booking:
5/8/2021

Reason(s) For Booking:
Schedule I – Controlled Substances

Officer’s Narrative:

On 05/07/2021 at 2150 hours, I, Ofc. R. Turner was in the area of S Davis Drive and Watson Blvd., and observed a motor vehicle traveling on the roadway without its headlights on. The suspect vehicle, GA tag [REDACTED], was traveling south bound on S Davis Drive, just south of Watson Blvd.

I initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle using my emergency equipment in my marked patrol vehicle. The vehicle came to a stop on Demon Valley Drive near the intersection with S Davis Drive. I made contact with the driver of the vehicle, who was identified as Octavis Lester. Mr. Lester provided me his first and last name and stated he did not have his drivers license on his person. When asked if Mr. Lester was the owner of the vehicle, he stated he was a friend of the owner and was driving it to them.

While speaking with Mr. Lester I detected the strong odor of raw marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. Once a backup officer arrived on scene I asked Mr. Lester to exit the vehicle, while Mr. Lester was exiting he made the spontaneous utterance that he, did in fact have marijuana on his person. Mr. Lester told me the marijuana was located in his shorts pocket and I asked him to remove it. Mr. Lester removed two clear plastic bags from his shorts pocket both containing a green leafy substance I believed to be marijuana.

Mr. Lester was placed in custody for possession of marijuana less than an ounce. Search incident to arrest of Mr. Lester, resulted in locating another small clear plastic bag in his other pocket, containing a small amount of a green leafy substance I believed to be marijuana. I asked Mr. Lester if he could call someone to come get the vehicle. Mr. Lester stated he could contact the owner. Mr. Lester made contact with the owner by cell phone and he was then placed in the back of my patrol vehicle while I conducted a probable cause search of the vehicle.

Inside the vehicle, under the driver seat, I located 5 sealed packages of THC edibles. The packages were clearly marked, stating they contained THC and listed the amount. I located another opened THC edible package in the center console. The registered owner of the vehicle, Mariella Morehead, arrived on scene to take possession of the vehicle. I showed Ms. Morehead the THC edibles located inside the vehicle, under the driver seat and inside the center console, and asked if she were aware they were inside the vehicle. Ms. Morehead stated she was unaware they were inside her vehicle and stated they did not belong to her.

I continued to search the vehicle and in the rear storage area behind the back seat, I located a pink purse. Inside the purse I located a document with Ms. Morehead’s name listed. Inside the purse I also located another sealed THC edible package. I showed Ms. Morehead the purse and asked if it belonged to her. Ms. Morehead stated it was in fact her purse. Ms. Morehead was placed in custody at that time for possession of a Schedule I Controlled Substance.

Both Ms. Morehead and Mr. Lester were transported to headquarters. Mr. Lester was issued a citation for operating the vehicle without headlights after dark and turned over to booking for processing. I will be seeking warrants against Mr. Lester for operating a motor vehicle while unlicensed, Possession of a Schedule I Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute, and Possession of Marijuana Less Than One Ounce. I will also be seeking a warrant against Ms. Morehead for Possession of a Schedule I Controlled Substance.

The vehicle was turned over to a licensed driver on scene per Ms. Morehead’s request. Nothing further to report at this time. Audio/video recording available.