Darriyo Saunders

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Name:
SAUNDERS, DARRIYO

Date of Booking:
05/03/2023

Reason(s) For Booking:
TRAFFICKING IN COCAINE, ILLEGAL DRUGS, MARIJUANA, OR METHAMPHETAMINE

MARIJUANA- PURCHASE, POSSESSION, MANUFACTURE, DISTRIBUTION, OR SALE (FELONY)

THEFT BY RECEIVING STOLEN PROPERTY – FELONY

POSSESSION OF FIREARM OR KNIFE DURING COMMISSION OF OR ATTEMPT TO COMMIT CERTAIN FELONIES

POSSESSION OF A DANGEROUS WEAPON

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 05/03/2023 at 0313 hrs, I, Dep. E. Hogan #244 was positioned along GA 401 (also known as I-75) at mile marker 191 conducting traffic enforcement for speeding vehicles and any other traffic violations by vehicles traveling in the southbound lanes of travel.

At 0313 hrs, I observed a small compact, 2 door vehicle traveling in the number 1 lane pass my location. As this vehicle passed my location, I observed it’s tag was not affixed to the vehicle and was waving up and down as the vehicle was in motion which made it impossible to read.

I elected to conduct a traffic stop of this vehicle base on reason stated. As my vehicle approached this vehicle from the rear and the driver made a sudden lane change from lane 1 to lane 2. I approached this vehicle from lane 1 and attempted to read it’s tag but was unable to.

I then repositioned my vehicle to the rear of this vehicle and activated my emergency lights. The driver then moved from lane two to lane one and then onto the left shoulder of the highway. Upon this vehicle coming to a stop along the roadway, I was only able to read the vehicle tag upon this vehicle coming to a stop.

I then informed Monroe County Sheriff Dispatch and informed them of my stopping location and the vehicle tag. The tag affixed to the rear of this vehicle was a paper temporary tag out of the State of Florida and it is identified as [REDACTED]. I then made my approach from my vehicle to the driver side of this vehicle.

Upon reaching the vehicle driver side door, I identified myself to the driver and informed him of the reason for the traffic stop. As I was informing the driver why I stopped his vehicle, a strong odor of unsmoked marijuana was emitting from the passenger compartment of this vehicle.

I asked the driver if he had any marijuana inside the vehicle and he responded he had been smoking a cigar, but I informed him smell marijuana not cigar smoke. Upon him telling me this, I then asked him if he had any weapons of any kind inside the vehicle to include any knives, guns, drugs, like kilos of cocaine or a dead body in the trunk. The driver stated “No.”

I then told him I smell marijuana coming from the vehicle and ordered him to give it to me. The driver at that time produced a half smoked marijuana cigarette and again I informed him I still smell unsmoked marijuana coming from the vehicle and the driver at this time produced a small, clear plastic bag containing unsmoked marijuana.

Upon receiving this marijuana from the driver, I requested a second MRSO unit to come to my location as backup. Cpl. T. Rogers responded to my location and upon his arrival, I then instructed the driver who is identified by his Bahamian identification as Byron Demeritte B/M, DOB [REDACTED].

I asked the driver if he had his passport to go along with his ID and he stated he was on his way to get it, he further stated it was in Miami, Florida which was his destination. I then asked the passenger if he had any identification and he presented to me his Bahamian passport which identified him as Darriyo Saunders, B/M with a DOB of [REDACTED].

Saunders was wearing black jogging pants and a green hoodie which was located in the garbage can of Wal-Mart located on North Lee Street upon his arrest at this location. About this time, Cpl. Rogers arrived at my location and I then ordered the two occupants out of the vehicle so I could conduct a search of this vehicle for additional drugs.

I ordered the driver and passenger to stand with Cpl. Rogers. The driver did as he was ordered to do, but the passenger upon exiting the vehicle attempted to retrieve something from the vehicle and upon me seeing him reach for an unknown object I again ordered him to move away from the vehicle. The passenger complied and moved to the grassy area adjacent to the highway next the driver and Cpl. Rogers.

Once the two occupants was standing where they could be observed by Cpl. Rogers, I checked the area on the passenger side where the passenger attempted to retrieve something from the passenger side floor board. As I was reaching for what was a light colored back pack positioned on the passenger side floor board, I heard Cpl. Rogers yell out “HE’S RUNNING”.

I then looked up to see the passenger fleeing northbound along the grassy median with Cpl. Rogers in foot pursuit. I then immediately detained the driver and placed him into handcuffs, checked him for weapons and placed him in the rear of my vehicle. I then went back to the passenger side of this vehicle and retrieved the backpack on the passenger side floorboard.

Upon picking up this backpack, I noticed the contents of this bag was heavy. I placed the bag on the vehicle passenger seat and looked inside because a strong smell of marijuana was coming from it. Upon opening this bag, I was able to observe multiple handguns inside it as well as what appeared to be a clear baggie containing suspected Ecstasy pills and multiple small baggies of marijuana inside.

The vehicle was impounded by Buices towing and the driver who was detained was transported to the Monroe County Jail. I then returned to the area where other deputies were conducting a ground search for the passenger who fled on foot.

After about an hour of searching the wooded area near the vehicle weight scales located along the northbound side of GA 401, the ground search was called off and a lookout was posted to the Monroe County Sheriff Office web app for the general public to be aware.

After the lookout was posted, a civilian driving along US 42 North near it’s intersection of Boxankle Rd, witnessed the passenger along the roadway attempting to flag down passing motorist. A short time later, a second called stated the wanted subject was seen entering Wal-Mart.

I along with other Monroe County Deputies responded to Wal-Mart, located the wanted subject who had changed his clothing inside the mensa bathroom and took him into custody without further incident. Located inside the backpack were six different handguns ranging in different calibers. Of the six handguns recovered three were discovered to have been stolen through two outside police agencies. The weapons are as follows:

Glock, Model 45, 9mm, Serial Number BGHR 290, stolen through DeKalb County Police Department, Case #22-092105
SCCY, Model CPX, 9mm, Serial Number C156052, stolen through Atlanta Police Department, Case #230861190
Taurus, Model PT140G2A, 9mm, Serial Number ADL892329, stolen through Atlanta Police Department, Case #230380661
Smith & Wesson, Caliber 40, Model SD 40, Serial Number FDF 1112
Smith & Wesson, 9mm, Model M&P Shield, Serial Number JEX 2332
Glock, Model 22 Gen 4, Caliber 40, Serial Number PWX 747

Also located within the backpack was a clear baggie containing two seperate bags of Ecstasy Pill with an unknown quantity, but had a total weight of 68 grams. 5 small baggies which contained marijuana, additional handgun magazines for the weapons located inside the backpack.

The two occupants are charged as follows:

1. Demeritte, Byron Bradley

(a). Trafficking in Ecstasy…OCGA 16-13-31
(b). Possession of Marijuana W/Intent to Distribute…OCGA 16-13-30 (J)(1)
(c). Possession of a Dangerous…OCGA 16-11-122
(d). Theft By Receiving Stolen Property, 3 COUNTS-(Felony), OCGA 16-8-7
(e). Possession of Firearm during Commission to Commit Certain Felonies, 6 COUNTS (Felony)…OCGA 16- 11-106
(f). Driving without a Valid License…OCGA 40-5-20

2. Saunders, Darriyo Luciano

This incident was captured on my body-worn camera as well as the camera system mounted in vehicle 1930. All items were placed into evidence locker for future prosecution and investigation.

[End of Narrative]

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