A pair of Virginia men were taken into custody after being stopped with various substances and a loaded weapon.
At 7:20 p.m. Thursday, a deputy noticed James Dillon Neal, 29, and James Allen Eastridge, 33, driving eastbound on State Road 44 in Wildwood, according to an arrest report from the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office. Their gray Ford Explorer lacked functioning headlights, taillights, and tag lights.
When the deputy noticed this, he stopped the vehicle at Spring Flow Avenue. According to the report, Neal, the driver, indicated that he was unaware of the lighting issue because it was not his car.
A K-9 team came on the scene and positively detected the stench of narcotics emanating from the vehicle. Both passengers were removed, and a search ensued. Neal notified deputies about a firearm under his seat, and they discovered a 9mm Taurus pistol loaded with one bullet, according to the report.
Deputies also discovered Neal’s bookbag, which included a hypodermic needle and a mason jar with 7.90 grams of marijuana. Later, they investigated Neal’s pockets and found a bag containing 2.08 grams of methamphetamine, according to the report.
Eastridge informed a deputy about a gold THC vape in his possession, which was found in the vehicle. He did not have a medicinal marijuana card, according to the report.
Furthermore, a review of Neal’s criminal history found a felony drug conviction in Virginia on December 15, 2022. The report also noted a felony probation violation with a conviction date of June 20, 2023.
Neal was arrested for possession of methamphetamine, marijuana (less than 20 grams), drug paraphernalia, and a weapon by a convicted criminal. He was booked into the Sumter County Detention Center without bond.
Eastridge was charged with possession of marijuana (less than 20 grams) and held in the detention center on a $1,000 bond.
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