A woman was arrested last week in Hope for allegedly smoking marijuana while driving erratically with a 5-year-old child in the front seat, as per court records.
Dawn Bryant, 53, was reportedly seen by a director from the 8th North Drug Task Force tailgating another vehicle and crossing into oncoming traffic on Hempstead 3, also known as Patmos Road, on April 12, according to a probable cause affidavit.
When Bryant was pulled over, the officer detected a strong odor of marijuana. Bryant claimed the smell was from others smoking in the car earlier that day. She mentioned having had an argument with someone in Hope and was trying to manage the 5-year-old relative seated next to her in the front seat of her silver Cadillac.
The odor was so strong that officers suspected Bryant had been smoking marijuana with the child present. They also noted an open can of Bud Light in the center console.
Bryant denied possessing any drugs, but during a vehicle search, she admitted to having marijuana in her purse. Officers allegedly recovered over 12 grams of marijuana from the purse and more than 139 grams (about 4.9 ounces) of methamphetamine from a makeup bag inside a clothing bag in the rear passenger seat. The affidavit detailed the methamphetamine quantities as follows: one baggie weighing 103.9 grams, another 26.7 grams, and a third 8.8 grams.
Investigators also reportedly found a prescription bottle of Hydrocodone, labeled with another person’s name, containing four pills, a methamphetamine pipe, and digital scales.
At the Hempstead County Sheriff’s Office, Bryant allegedly admitted that the drugs in the car were hers, making it clear she did not intend to incriminate anyone else.
Hempstead County prosecutors formally charged Bryant on Wednesday with possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, possession of hydrocodone, and possession of drug paraphernalia for weighing methamphetamine. Each charge includes a notice of intent to seek an enhanced penalty due to Bryant’s four or more prior felony convictions.
Bryant faces up to 15 years as a habitual offender if convicted of the paraphernalia or hydrocodone charges. A conviction for possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine could result in up to 60 years in an Arkansas prison. Each charge also carries the possibility of a fine.
Bryant is currently out on a $5,000 bond. The case is assigned to Circuit Judge Joseph Short, and Bryant is scheduled to appear in court later this month.
