On March 7, the Reporting Officer R/O was conducting patrol on Cherry Road when he observed a Toyota Corolla with an expired license plate. The R/O then initiated a traffic stop at the intersection of Cherry Road and Patton Street. The R/O made contact with Suspect #1, a Winthrop student, and Suspect #2, no Winthrop affiliation. The R/O informed Suspect #1 of the reasons for the stop, and as they conversed, the R/O could detect an odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. The R/O asked both suspects if there was any marijuana in the vehicle, and both denied any Marijuana being in the vehicle.
The R/O then radioed for dispatch to have an RHPD respond to assist with a vehicle search. RHPD arrived and the R/O searched the vehicle. The R/O recovered a small baggie of marijuana, a marijuana pipe, a pineapple-shaped jar containing marijuana, a grinder, two lighters and a pack of cigarillos from a brown box in the passenger-side floorboard. The R/O also recovered a jar of marijuana, a pack of cigarillos, another grinder and a Victoria’s Secret bag with a large number of used cigarillo packages in a black purse in the back seat of the vehicle that Suspect #1 stated was hers.
Upon searching the trunk of the vehicle, the R/O discovered a bottle of liquor. The R/O asked both individuals whose brown box was in the passenger side of the vehicle. Both suspects stated it was not theirs. Suspect #1 stated that it was her friend’s box. The R/O informed both individuals that he would not charge them with possession of tobacco by a minor or possession of alcohol by a minor, but they would be charged with possession of marijuana first offense.
On March 22, the Reporting Officer (R/O) and Officer Rodgers were conducting patrol on Oakland Avenue near Oakland Avenue Presbyterian in Rock Hill. The R/O observed a silver Hyundai Sonata with a defective headlight on Oakland Avenue headed towards Winthrop University. The R/O initiated a traffic stop at the intersection of Oakland Avenue and Aiken Avenue.
The R/O and Officer Rodgers made contact with the driver and passenger. Upon first contact, the R/O detected the odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. The R/O asked Suspect #1 if she had anything illegal in the vehicle. Suspect #1 stated, “No.”
The R/O then asked Suspect #1 if he could search the vehicle. Suspect #1 answered “yes.”
The R/O proceeded with a probable cause vehicle search. Rodgers identified Suspect #1 as a Winthrop student, and Suspect #2 as having no Winthrop affiliation. The R/O discovered a bag of marijuana and two rolling paper packages in the center console of the vehicle. The R/O also discovered a silver container with marijuana residue located within the storage compartment on the passenger-side front door.
Upon searching the passenger-side rear seat, the R/O located a Tupperware bowl filled with marijuana inside of a green backpack. After the search was complete, the R/O asked both suspects if they knew who the marijuana belonged to. Suspect #1 and Suspect #2 stated that they did not know. Rodgers informed both individuals that since neither of them wanted to claim ownership of the marijuana, they would both be charged.
Rodgers weighed the bag of marijuana at 3.2 grams and the Tupperware bowl that contained marijuana at 21.3 grams. Suspect #1 and Suspect #2 were both issued a citation for possession of marijuana, first degree (under 28 grams).
