On the evening of September 1, 2023, at approximately 7:30 p.m., a Hopkins County Sheriff's Deputy conducted a routine traffic stop on a vehicle traveling along Highway 19 N. The stop was initiated due to a defective stop lamp and failure to signal. The sole occupant of the vehicle, identified as 59-year-old Robert Muse, was pulled over.
During the interaction, the deputy noticed Muse's behavior, which included avoiding eye contact and appearing to look around the vehicle nervously. These actions raised suspicion, and the deputy inquired whether there were any illegal substances in the vehicle. Muse denied any knowledge of illegal items and refused consent to search the vehicle.
In response, the deputy requested the assistance of a K9 Deputy to the scene. Once the K9 arrived, Muse confessed to having marijuana inside the vehicle. The K9, named Axe, was then deployed to perform a sniff test around the vehicle. Axe positively alerted to the presence of narcotics.
Following the K9's alert, law enforcement conducted a probable cause search of the vehicle. During the search, deputies discovered a bag on the passenger seat containing suspected marijuana. Furthermore, inside an eyeglass case found in the vehicle, a small clear baggie containing a crystal-like substance believed to be methamphetamine was uncovered.
As a result of the discovery, Robert Muse was taken into custody and his vehicle was released to his brother, who was present at the scene. Muse was subsequently transported to Hopkins County Jail, where the crystal-like substance was subjected to field testing. The substance tested positive for methamphetamine and weighed approximately 0.4 grams, including the packaging.
Robert Muse, a resident of Sulphur Springs, now faces charges related to the incident, specifically: Possession of Controlled Substance PG 1 < 1G.
