Traffic stop results in 2 arrests after St. George police find suspected meth, other drug-related items

Composite image with background photo by Thea Designs/iStock/Getty Images Plus, St. George News

ST. GEORGE — A swerving vehicle recently prompted a patrol officer to conduct a late-night traffic stop off St. George Boulevard that resulted in two drug-related arrests

2018 file photo for illustrative purposes only of officers responding to an incident on St. George Boulevard during heavy rains, St. George, Utah, Aug. 15, 2018 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News

Last Thursday, a patrol officer initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle on South 400 East in St. George for several traffic violations shortly before midnight. The ensuing search yielded a “large amount” of suspected methamphetamine, police say.

According to the probable cause statement filed in support of the arrest, while speaking to the driver, Michael Kay Michie, 45, the officer learned the driver had no active insurance policy on the vehicle and the suspect was advised the car would be impounded. 

The officer asked both Michie and the front-seat passenger Nickolas Roy Potter, 42, to exit the vehicle so officers could take an inventory of the vehicle while the wrecker was en route to the scene. 

In the meantime, the officer noticed that the electrical mount to power the window was not connected, and when the officer slid the control panel over to the side, they found a glass pipe covered with a burnt crystalized residue consistent with methamphetamine.  

As the inventory continued, officers noticed the control panel used to power the passenger side window also was loose, and when they slid the panel over, they found three Ziplock baggies that contained suspected methamphetamine inside the empty chamber. The packaging was consistent with drug distribution, the officer noted. 

The amount of suspected crystal meth recovered was more than what was consistent with personal use, and the substances appeared to be packaged for distribution.   Officers found a purple bag that was attached to the suspect’s keys and inside was a plastic bag containing “a large amount of methamphetamine,” according to the report.  

Officers recovered a plastic bag containing suspected marijuana, along with a baggie containing what appeared to be psilocybin mushrooms. They recovered numerous syringes that appeared to be loaded with methamphetamine, along with two digital scales and small plastic baggies. 

According to the report, since the two baggies of suspected methamphetamine were recovered from the compartment under the disconnected window panel on the passenger’s side of the car, Potter, the front-seat passenger, was detained by police as well. 

During the investigation, officers learned Potter had just been released from jail earlier that day following a misdemeanor drug arrest.  

Both suspects were taken into custody and transported to Purgatory Correctional Facility facing multiple charges, including second-degree felony possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. They also face three misdemeanor counts for possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana and paraphernalia. 

This report is based on statements from court records, police or other responders and may not contain the full scope of findings. Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2023, all rights reserved.

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