From Maryland State Police:
Alert state troopers patrolling I-95 in Harford County arrested three suspects for drug importation and recovered almost 75 pounds of marijuana during two separate traffic stops in the past two days.
The first suspect is identified as Valerie Simmons, 37, of Fayetteville, NC. She is charged with drug possession with the intent to distribute, conspiracy to possess/distribute marijuana, drug importation between 5-45 kilos, and drug possession. After an appearance before a court commissioner she was held on a $25,000 bond.
A passenger in Simmons’ car was also arrested. He is identified as Orlando Garland, 37, of Fayetteville, NC. Garland is charged with drug possession with intent to distribute, conspiracy to possess/distribute marijuana, drug importation between 5-45 kilos, and drug possession. After an appearance before a court commissioner, he was held on a $250,000 bond.
The third suspect is identified as Jermaine Higgins, 33, of Brooklyn, NY. He is charged with drug possession with intent to distribute, conspiracy to possess/distribute marijuana, drug importation between 5-45 kilos, and drug possession. After an appearance before a court commissioner, he was held on $ 100,000 bond.
Shortly after 1:00 p.m. on March 22, 2017, a trooper from the JFK Highway Barrack stopped a 2017 Nissan Altima, driven by Valerie Simmons for a traffic violation on southbound I-95 near the Maryland House. The odor of marijuana was detected coming from inside the vehicle. A search led to the recovery of a small amount of marijuana inside the car and 14 vacuum sealed bags of marijuana in the trunk. The marijuana weighed just over 15 pounds and has an estimated street value of $67,500.
On March 23, just after 1:30 p.m., a trooper from the JFK Highway Barrack stopped a Chevrolet Cruze, driven by Jermaine Higgins, for a traffic violation on I-95 near Rt. 543. Identifying signs of possible criminal behavior, troopers conducted an investigation that led to a search of the vehicle. Inside the trunk, troopers recovered two bales of marijuana, wrapped in a masking agent in attempt to cover the scent of the marijuana. The bales weighed almost 59 pounds and have a potential street value of $260,000.
Regardless of where state troopers are patrolling, they remain on the alert for not only traffic violations, but criminal activity that may be underway. The majority of drugs imported into Maryland arrive by vehicle and patrol troopers understand their important role in being vigilant for the potential of encountering drug couriers during traffic stops.
Regardless of criminal record’s,why is she only getting a $25,000 bail and the passenger a $250,000 bail?!?!? And exactly what is “possible” signs of criminal behavior? Seems like Jermaine made out with a $100,00 bail on 59 pounds.
Damn them domestic terrorists.
There is nothing really wrong with this type of arrest occurring on a public road, especially in the I-95 corridor. There is no expectancy of privacy in your car during a legitimate traffic stop. These stops may or may not be legitimate. I don’t know. There is a big difference between stopping a car on the road and going to somebody’s house to use a drug dog on the door to their home. Mine case was the latter and yes I believe that when Law Enforcement uses techniques like they did on me, they are acting as an Organized Crime Syndicate and a Terrorist Organization. Now, I will say this barracks seems to get lucky, a lot. Are they the “Super Troopers” or are they getting intel from an illegal or unconstitutional source. Only the police will know and lets face it, they have become criminals in regards to the truth and the law nor do they have the honor or integrity anymore to admit to wrong doing. I have lost all respect for the entire Criminal Justice System regarding any CDS and nothing will ever change that. But if these stops are legitimate, then all is good……
“There is no expectation of privacy in your car during a legitimate traffic stop.”
The Supreme Court would disagree with you on this.
Sorry, when it comes to smell, there is no expectancy of privacy during a legitimate traffic stop. I would rather be my own Lawyer than have a “twister”, such as yourself, as my attorney.
Twister? I simply quoted you. You made the unambiguous statement that “[t]here is no expectation of privacy in your car during a reasonable traffic stop.” That statement is demonstrably incorrect on its face, based upon current Supreme Court case law. If you wanted to add a condition, such as “when it comes to smell,” you should have done so. Words matter, especially to lawyers. As to the value of you being your own lawyer, your comments on this website foreshadow the foolishness of that course of action.
No, anyone with common sense knows what I was getting at. So did U, even though I sense you may be lacking. The twister comment was made as the word origin of attorney means “to twist”. Which is what you did here in this exchange. However, if it makes you feel better to correct someone who was making a valid point, then so be it. I have been corrected, yet I was never wrong. I guess you can sleep like a pig in a blanket tonight, whoo hooo…….
Soul Crusher, I totally understand that you believe the system, including the police, prosecutors, defense, and courts did you a grave injustice. If it happened to me, I’d likely feel the same.
Unfortunately, you are not the first, and surely not the last. So, I admire that you speak out when you see what you believe to be injustice, while also recognizing that the police are the first line of defense against the trafficking of illegal drugs.
I’m retired now, but have been both prosecutor and defense, military and civilian, for over 40 years. So, I’ve seen the good and the bad. I’ve been around too long to be surprised by anything. Peace, out.
When the Harford county pigs pulled me over they wanted to stick their nose up my asshole because they were sure I was farting marijuana put when they found out I had stuck it in my dick they started standing in line to suck it out?….Pigs, to bad we can’t send them into the crowd and over the cliff.
If a cop pulls you over and wants to search your car or truck, he will ask you to exit your vehicle, do so and simply lock the doors and refuse the search. If the cop ask why did you lock your car simply say, it’s a habit officer?….Yes make them get a valid search warrant which they may or may not be able to attain and most importantly make sure either you or someone other then a cop is there to witness the search. Many more then one crocked cop has planted drugs in a search vehicle to get a conviction. They hate to look like the incompetent ass in front of an incompetent half ass judge. Then when they find nothing…..get a good lawyer and sue their balls off.
Also, be smart and record the entire incident on your phone. Turn on you recorder of which there are many apps. Lock your phone with a good password. And just place it in your shirt pocket. Believe me when I tell you, he could get really pissed off because you ” Did Not Obey” and punch you right in the face, knock you to the ground and beat the shit out of you with his bully stick. That would be a good surprise thing to have when your in court. That’s if it don’t mysteriously disappear in the course of him violating your rights.