Just before 8:00pm, on Saturday, January 18th, Del Norte County Sheriff’s deputies conducted an investigatory traffic stop of a vehicle on Old Mill Road and during the traffic stop, as deputies spoke with the driver, they observed drug paraphernalia inside the vehicle.
A search was conducted and the driver, identified as 47 year old John Southard, was found to be in possession of approximately 4.7 grams of methamphetamine, 1.3 grams of cocaine, a scale, and several baggies consistent with narcotics sales.
Southard was placed under arrested on multiple charges and after review of Mr. Southard’s criminal history, Mr. Southard was found to have more than two convictions for possession of narcotics and additional charges were then added before being booked and held at the Del Norte County Jail.
On Tuesday, January 21st, Del Norte County Sheriff Deputies served a search warrant at Southards residence in the Fort Dick area, and after the search warrant was executed, additional drug paraphernalia and methamphetamine was recovered resulting in additional charges.
Mr. Southard has been released on orders of the court. The case has been submitted to the Del Norte County District Attorney’s Office requesting prosecution.
