ST. GEORGE – Four people were arrested by the Utah Highway Patrol Tuesday when a traffic stop allegedly yielded a distributable amount of narcotics and a firearm.
Around 10:30 p.m., a trooper spotted a northbound passenger vehicle with North Dakota plates on Interstate-15 that had a shattered windshield, UHP Cpl. Todd Johnson said. The trooper pulled the vehicle over at mile post 4 for the shattered windshield and called for back up as four people were in the vehicle.
The driver identified himself as Clement B. Wells, 26, of Williston, N.D., though did not produce a driver’s license or registration for the vehicle. Other occupants of the vehicle included Michael James, 24; Tessa Hanson, 23; and Fernando Garnica, 18, all of Williston, N.D., all of whom also did not produce valid identification, Johnson said.
According to a probable cause statement, Wells was advised the vehicle would be impounded and items inside inventoried. While inventorying items the troopers discovered a what is believed to be a “significant amount” of methamphetamine and marijuana, Johnson said. While inspecting a backpack troopers also found a semi-automatic pistol. Items believed to be drug paraphernalia were also discovered.
Each were arrested and booked into the Purgatory correctional facility. Each have been charged with first-degree felony drug distribution and drug-related misdemeanors. Wells was also charged with driving an unsafe vehicle and having a revoked or suspended license.
Ed. note: Persons charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.
Email: mkessler@stgnews.com
Twitter: @STGnews
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2013, all rights reserved.
When are people going to learn? I’m trying to help you. You can’t drive or ride in a vehicle that has bad tags, no insurance, broken window, and make sure all the light and signals work and are illuminated correctly, out of state plates and carry drugs. I can’t list everything, you have to use your noodle. Its a recipe for getting pulled over and going to jail. Use your noodles 🙂
It’s good of you to try to help. But, we both know their noodles are now as cooked as their geese
Ha ha ha!!! So so true Ladybugavenger! It seems like common sense but when someone is completely spracked, they feel ten feet talk and bulletproof and common sense goes out the window. You would think the paranoia would be helpful though.
These folks are from Williston ND where they are currently experiencing an oil discovery and recovery boom. I’m sure these guys have been supplying this area with drugs acquired from Vegas or SoCal and got caught going back. Good catch but others will step up to supply demand.
The rest of us in North Dakota do not claim Williston!! Just so you know. The oil boom has brought with it a lot of things the state could do without!
Whatever mick, you are a loser, Williston is a good economy, good comes with the bad. It always does, the city is pretty good, we have drugs, fargo has more drugs, so does minot. Locals here are the same people as the rest of the state. Utah is a terrible state, should be kicked out of the USA, for not being normal.
ive lived and called williston nd my home for most my life so a few people got introuble for dope how about we put you and your home under a microscope of overwhelming influx of people and prosperity then ill come back after a month and heckle you for all the people gettin into trouble for dumb stuff and serious stuff thats never before been publicized! As for the mental midget that says nd dont claim Williston ND as a place in their state if so stay away cause to be honest we cant handle the stupids already here and adding your ignorance aint gonna help a thing.