A traffic stop for a disabled brake light resulted in the arrest Wednesday afternoon of a local felon after a loaded gun and drugs were allegedly found in his possession.
Kerry Alan Hacker, 38, who lists a McClendon Road address, was taken into custody shortly after 2:30 p.m. and charged with felony counts of possession of a firearm by certain persons, punishable by up to 20 years in prison, and possession of a controlled substance, marijuana, with purpose to deliver, punishable by up to six years.
Hacker, who also had a misdemeanor warrant for failure to appear, was later released on a $8,500 bond and is set to appear on Dec. 6 in Garland County District Court.
According to court records, Hacker was convicted on Oct. 24, 2008, of possession of a controlled substance, cocaine, and sentenced to five years' probation, which was revoked on April 26, 2011, then sentenced to five years in prison. He was also convicted of felony battery on March 22, 2011, according to the probable cause affidavit.
The affidavit said that shortly before 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Hot Springs police Officers 1st Class Aaron Combs and William Stockwell made a traffic stop on a white 1998 Mitsubishi Montero at the intersection of East Grand Avenue and Spring Street after noting it had a disabled brake light and observing it make an improper turn.
Officers made contact with the driver and sole occupant, identified as Hacker, and reportedly noticed an odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. They asked him if he had a medical marijuana card and he stated he did, but it was not in his possession. He also reportedly admitted to having "a few roaches" in the vehicle.
The officers detained Hacker and a computer check revealed the FTA warrant through the Garland County Sheriff's Office, so he was taken into custody. Officers reportedly searched the vehicle due to the odor of marijuana and for inventory purposes prior to being towed.
During the search, officers allegedly located a black bag directly behind the driver's seat that contained a black Ruger 9-mm handgun loaded with 12 rounds in the magazine and one live round in the chamber. The gun was reportedly found beneath two plastic baggies with a total of 41.3 grams of marijuana and a baggie with 19.9 grams of marijuana resin, and a scale. They also reportedly located a device "commonly used to smoke and inhale marijuana resin."
After being read his rights, Hacker was questioned and reportedly admitted he uses marijuana resin and the device found belonged to him. Hacker "did not make any claims of ownership about the firearm or controlled substances."
After a history check showed his prior felony convictions, Hacker was charged with the two felony counts regarding the drugs and the firearm. Felons are prohibited from owning or possessing any firearms.