By Pat Culverhouse

A traffic stop for a minor violation became a major problem for a Sarepta man who is now lodged in the parish prison facing a drug charge.

Webster Parish Sheriff Jason Parker said 60-year-old Chaney Garmany, a resident of the 200 block of Wallace Rd., has been booked for possession of methamphetamines following his arrest Wednesday.

Parker said Sgt. Josh McCormick stopped Garmany for the traffic violation at the intersection of U.S. Hwy 371 and Porterville Rd. just after 10 p.m. During questioning, the deputy reportedly became suspicious and asked permission to search the  vehicle.

When permission to search was denied, Minden PD Officer Kendale Booker and his K9 partner, Reef, were dispatched to the scene. During an open-air sniff, Reef reportedly gave a positive alert to the presence of narcotics.

A search of the vehicle reportedly uncovered a magnetic box attached to the seat adjustment lever on the passenger side front seat. Inside the box, officers found two baggies of suspected methamphetamines.

Garmany reportedly is being held at Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center under a $5,001 bond.

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.

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