A Blountstown man is facing drug charges following a routine traffic stop Thursday afternoon.
Matthew Alexander Hall has been charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute within 1000 feet of a school, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a concealed firearm, driving with a suspended license and possession of drug paraphernalia.
According to the Blountstown Police Department, Officer Ellis and Lt. Timothy Partridge initiated a traffic stop on Charlie Johns Street behind Blountstown Middle School just before 2:30 p.m. after noticing a truck with an expired tag. Hall was behind the wheel and appeared nervous. It was soon learned his driver’s license had been suspended.
While being placed under arrest for driving while his license was suspended, Hall was asked if he had anything illegal on him and admitted he had a bag of marijuana in a front pants pocket. Lt. Partridge seized the marijuana. Hall denied having anything illegal in his vehicle and told the officers they could search it. On the front seat, a jacket was found with a black bag inside one of the pockets. A set of digital scales with marijuana residue was located in the bag, along with several small plastic baggies like those commonly used to package drugs for smaller sales. A .38 caliber revolver was found in the driver door in a speaker hole, covered with a wash cloth. The gun was not loaded.
Hall was booked into the Calhoun County Jail and remained in custody at press time.
