November 26th, 2017 by WCBC Radio
On November 25, 2017 at approximately 2:16 am a Deputy with the Allegany County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in the area of the LaVale Baptist Church on National Highway in LaVale, for multiple traffic violations. During the course of the traffic stop the Deputy made contact with the operator of the vehicle and while speaking with him detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. The Deputy also observed a loaded handgun magazine in the vehicle. The deputy inquired about the presence of a firearm and the operator advised that he was in possession of a firearm.
Pursuant to the traffic stop and subsequent investigation the operator of the vehicle, identified as William Eugene Crawford II was arrested on suspicion of DUI. During a probable cause search of the vehicle deputies located a 9mm Taurus semi-automatic pistol with two loaded magazines in the driver’s compartment of the vehicle, 16 grams of Methamphetamine, 22 grams of marijuana, various prescription medications in various containers, numerous smoking devices, packaging materials,digital scales and a sum of United States Currency.
Crawford was examined by a Drug Recognition Expert from the Allegany County Sheriff’s Office and charged with the following traffic violations:
Failure to drive vehicle on right half of roadway when required
Driving vehicle while so far impaired by drugs cannot drive safely
Driving vehicle while impaired by a controlled dangerous substance
Driver using hands to use handheld telephone while motor vehicle is in motion
Crawford was also charged with the following criminal violations:
CDS possession with intent to distribute narcotics
Firearm/Drug trafficking crime
CDS distribute with firearm
Handgun in vehicle
CDS possession of marijuana more than 10grams
4 counts of CDS possession not marijuana
CDS possession of paraphernalia
Crawford was taken before the District Court Commissioner and was held without bond in the Allegany County Detention Center.
