Cape juvenile faces pot charges after traffic stop

This story has been edited to remove the name of a juvenile; the age of the suspect was not included in the probable-cause statement issued by the police department.

A Cape Girardeau man is facing drug charges following a Sunday traffic stop.

Just after 11 p.m. Sunday, an officer was following a gold Chrysler 300 when he noticed the license plate cover was tinted darkly enough to make the plate difficult to read, according to a probable-cause statement. The officer pulled the vehicle over, at which point a man exited the passenger-side door, the statement said. A juvenile fled on foot and was apprehended in front of the SEMO Law Enforcement Academy.

When the driver, Darieth Nunley, 22, was ordered out of the vehicle, officers noticed a smell of burned marijuana, according to the statement.

During a search of the vehicle, a green leafy substance was found. At first, Nunley denied it was his but later said he had accepted the marijuana as payment for giving the juvenile a ride. Found on Nunley after his arrest were more suspected marijuana and a digital scale containing small leaves of suspected marijuana inside his boxers, according to the probable-cause statement.

Nunley was charged with misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to use and failure to display license plates.

Pertinent address:

Sprigg Street and Merriwether Street, Cape Girardeau, MO