By Joe Johnson
An armed felon with drugs was arrested this week when he was found asleep in a car at a green light in Athens.
An officer on patrol at about 2:55 p.m. Tuesday saw that a Toyota Corolla did not proceed through the intersection of Lexington and Cherokee roads when the light turned green, according to Athens Clarke County police Lt. Shaun Barnett.
The officers observed that the driver was asleep, he said, and as officers began to investigate the driver, identified as Phillipe Omana Johnson, 49, of Hardman Morris Road in Colbert, woke up and began to drive away, so a traffic stop was initiated.
Officers observed a plastic baggy tucked away in an area where the driver was seen reaching, according to Barnett, and after ordering Johnson out of the car, they found that the baggie contained pieces of suspected crack cocaine.
A revolver was in Johnson’s waistband, and a criminal history check found that he had previously been convicted of a felony, Barnett said.
According to Barnett, a search of the car resulted in officers locating about 10 grams of suspected cocaine, 17 various pills of suspected ecstasy “or other pressed, designer drug,” along with drug related items such as baggies and digital scales.
Johnson was arrested and charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.