When you text the police that you will sell them drugs, it’s pretty much a wrap. You will be arrested. But while no one would knowingly do such a thing, one Conyers man got himself into trouble for sending text messages to an arrested friend.
According to the Rockdale Citizen, 31-year old Taurus McKee Baker didn’t realize his friend had been arrested when he sent him the text message that he “got sum bars.” Cops, knowing “bars” referred to the shape of Alprazolam or Xanax, engaged him in conversation and arranged to purchase the drugs.
Officers responded to the text and during the communication learned that “Taurus” had been “popd” (arrested) two weeks prior on Irwin Bridge Road. Officers determined that “Taurus” was actually Taurus McKee Baker, who had been arrested at the Mobile gas station on Irwin Bridge Road on a charge of sale of marijuana, according to the incident report.
“During the course of the text messaging, Baker agreed to sell us 10 bars of Alprazolam for $40,” according to the officer’s report. “Baker advised he was on Lakeview Drive and agreed to meet us on College Avenue.”
Officers in uniform drove in an unmarked vehicle to Park Circle near the intersection of College Avenue. A detective in an unmarked vehicle was also in the area. When the suspect walked into the area he was arrested without incident, according to the report.
When you break laws and you run with other frequent law breakers, you may want to be cautious when texting, not knowing who has your friend’s phone at any given time. Because the phone was taken during an arrest, the messages transferred were pretty much fair game to the police.
How the police learn of your possession of drugs, how they come to find drugs on you, will determine whether the drugs themselves can be used as evidence in court. An illegal search would prevent them from being entered as evidence.
The rules of evidence can be complicated even for seasoned police officers. In other words, everyone makes mistakes or has misunderstandings. It is the job of your defense lawyer to comb through your case and determine that your rights were protected at every stage of the game, and if they weren’t, seek justice.
If you’ve been charged with possession of drugs or another offense and you have questions about the events that led to your arrest, contact our offices today. Let’s discuss your options and how we might be able to help.