Two men were arrested Monday evening in North Charleston, South Carolina, after a traffic stop uncovered both illegal drugs and a firearm hidden in their SUV.
Who was arrested
- Derrontae Philip Holmes, 30, from Moncks Corner, was charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana.
- Jeremiah Siayr Alston, 25, from Charleston, was charged with unlawful possession of a handgun and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, after a background check confirmed his prior felony status.
How the traffic stop started
Around 6 p.m., an officer patrolling the Chicora/Cherokee community noticed an SUV with two occupants who appeared nervous, avoided eye contact, and slouched in their seats. The officer also smelled marijuana as the vehicle passed. The officer then pulled the SUV over because the license plate was partially obscured, which is a valid traffic‑infraction reason for a stop.
What officers found
During the stop, the officer again detected the smell of marijuana and saw packaging inside the vehicle consistent with narcotics. A search of the car and both men revealed:
- More than 100 grams of marijuana in the center console, plus smaller amounts on their persons.
- Cash, a digital scale, a handgun in the glove box, and a loaded magazine nearby.
Alston’s status as a convicted felon made his possession of the firearm illegal, so he faced the additional felony firearm charge. Both Holmes and Alston were taken into custody and booked into the Al Cannon Detention Center.
