Federal charges filed against two arrested on I-35

They were each originally charged in Daviess County with two counts of possession of controlled substance with intent to distribute, but those charges were dismissed on Aug. 17.

Gregory E. Smith and Namon Scott have each been charged in the Western District Court with conspiracy and possession of firearm during drug trafficking offense.

Count 1 alleges that they knowingly and intentionally conspired to distribute 280 grams or more of crack cocaine and cocaine, both Schedule II controlled substances, and marijuana, a Schedule I controlled substance.

Count 2 states that they did knowingly and intentionally possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Smith, 48, Des Moines, Iowa, was arrested at the 72 mile marker of I-35 for a registration violation. Prior to stopping Smith’s Dodge Stratus, the driver of a black Mercedes attempted to block Sgt. M.A. Wilhoit from pulling in behind the Stratus.

Upon making the traffic stop on the Stratus, Sgt. Wilhoit immediately detected an overwhelming odor of marijuana. K-9 Charlie was deployed and indicated on the rear trunk. In the trunk Sgt. Wilhoit found two large bales of processed marijuana. A thorough search revealed 80 pounds of marijuana, 1.5 pounds of cocaine and one pound of crack cocaine.

Sgt. Wilhoit radioed for assistance and requested that the driver of the black Mercedes be stopped for following too closely, due to the association of the Mercedes with the narcotics stop made on the Stratus. Scott, 36, Houston, Texas, the driver of the Mercedes, was arrested at Highway 136 and I-35 by Trooper Starmer. A search revealed a small baggie of marijuana in the center console and a loaded Hi-Point .40 caliber handgun hidden in the trunk.

The men are in federal custody, with a detention hearing scheduled for Aug. 19.