Ala. couple going wrong way on Beacon with pot, meth

An Alabama couple driving the wrong way on Beacon Street was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana and meth after they were spotted in front of the KFC on March 16.

The driver, Russell Dan Woods, 48, 4027 Telstar Circle, Huntsville, Ala., was arrested and charged with felony possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana in a vehicle, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, according to Neshoba County Sheriff Eric Clark. Woods was also cited in “association with his driving habits,” he said.

The passenger, Laura Sue Lasher, 50, 4019 Sewall Road, Huntsville, Ala., was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana in a vehicle.

Sheriff’s deputies encountered the pair on Wednesday, March 13 at 10 p.m. on Beacon Street in front of the KFC where Woods was observed driving a white Dodge traveling eastbound.

Deputies initiated a stop and Woods pulled over in the parking lot of A1 Auto Parts.

Upon making contact, deputies noticed the smell of marijuana coming from the vehicle as well as the butts of two marijuana cigarettes in the vehicle. They also established that Woods had no driver’s license. 

Deputies observed Woods reaching into one of his pockets. A search of wood revealed a clear bag containing a crystal-like substance believed to be crystal methamphetamine. A search of Lasher, the passenger, also revealed meth.

Clark said a search of the vehicle rendered a handgun and a bag of marijuana. Deputies also determined Woods was a convicted felon out of Huntsville.

Woods was out of jail on March 16 on a $16,000 bond, according to Neshoba County Detention Center records. The same records show Lasher was released on an $11,000 bond on March 13.