Traffic stop leads to severe charges for what's found in car & home, SC cops say
A recent traffic stop in South Carolina landed a man in jail, according to the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office. But the most severe crimes he’s charged with are not for a traffic violation, rather for what was discovered inside the vehicle — as well as a search of his home — the sheriff’s office said in a news release.
In addition to a traffic violation, Robert Antonio James Jr. was arrested on drug and weapons charges, according to the release.
On July 1, deputies made a traffic stop in Winnsboro, and James was arrested for driving under suspension, the sheriff’s office said. Information about the location of the traffic stop, and when it happened, was not available.
Deputies searched the vehicle and found cocaine, according to the release. This led to a search of James’ home by members of the sheriff’s office’s narcotics unit, who found more drugs and a gun, the sheriff’s office said.
James was charged with two counts of possession with Intent to distribute cocaine (third offense), as well as single counts of possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of cocaine base (third offense), possession of a stolen firearm, possession of a firearm by a person convicted of possession with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm by a person convicted of certain crimes, according to the release.
James was taken into custody and transported to the Fairfield County Detention Center, the sheriff’s office said.
On Tuesday, James also was charged with a probation violation, Fairfield County court records show. Bond on that charge was set at $10,000, but has not been posted, according to court records.
James remained in the county jail as of Tuesday, the sheriff’s office said.
Despite the arrest, the sheriff’s office said it’s continuing to investigate James, and he could face additional charges.
“This case demonstrates the continued commitment of our deputies and investigators to proactively identify criminal activity and remove illegal drugs and firearms from our communities,” Sheriff Will Montgomery said in the release. “We remain dedicated to protecting the citizens of Fairfield County through proactive enforcement and thorough investigations.”
The 46-year-old James has been arrested multiple times, including earlier this year, court records show. On April 30, James was charged with two counts of malicious Injury to animals, personal property, injury (value $2,000 or less) and was released the same day after a $2,130 personal recognizance bond was posted for each charge, according to court records. That charge is pending.
On March 23, James pleaded guilty to a drug possession charge from a 2024 arrest, court records show.
James also pleaded guilty to a separate drug charge from a 2019 arrest, according to court records.
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