By Pat Culverhouse

Springhill police officers turned a Friday evening traffic stop into an arrest for distribution of illegal narcotics, and a 35-year-old local man is sitting in the parish prison as a result.

Chief of Police Will Lynd said Matthew J. Newman, a resident of the 1300 block of Rosebud Loop, is charged with possession of CDS Sch II (methamphetamines) with intent to distribute, resisting an officer, obstruction of justice and possession of drug paraphernalia. His bond is set at $500.

Lynd said Newman was being pulled over for a traffic violation when Officer Andrew Evans noticed a black bag being tossed from inside and landing in front of the vehicle. When asked to step from his vehicle, Newman reportedly began to struggle with officers.

After Newman was successfully detained, officers located a black bag containing approximately 10.8 grams of suspected methamphetamines inside his boxer underwear. During their search, officers found additional methamphetamines and smaller empty bags. A total of roughly 12 grams of methamphetamines reportedly was found.

This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.