Sikeston man faces drug charges after traffic stop

BENTON, Mo. -- A traffic stop by a Scott County deputy has led to the arrest of a Sikeston, Missouri, man after the discovery of more than 40 small bags of marijuana and with drug paraphernalia.

Janeil Hatchett, 21, is charged with misdemeanor resisting arrest and felony possession of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute.

At 12:11 a.m. Monday, deputy John Caudle observed a vehicle sitting in the middle of the roadway on Route U in Scott County. When Caudle's patrol car passed the vehicle, then turned around in an attempt to get behind it, the vehicle started moving and then made a U-turn, appearing to accelerate quickly, according to a news release from Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter.

The vehicle turned onto Highway 425, accelerating even more. After the vehicle turned onto Queen Road without a turn signal, Caudle stopped it.

As the driver, identified as Hatchett, walked toward the patrol unit, Caudle noticed the odor of marijuana.

"After speaking with Hatchett, a subsequent search of the vehicle resulted in 60 grams of marijuana and $4,200 of United States currency in $10, $20 and $100 bills," Walter said in the release. "Also located were 44 small Zip-lock-type plastic baggies, a marijuana grinder and a 'High Times' magazine."