Traffic stop leads to felony drug charge

A traffic stop for a vehicle without a visible license plate has led to a felony drug charge for a 48-year-old man, according to a magistrate’s complaint filed in superior court. 

Don Vincent Toves Jr., also known as “Don Juan,” was charged Tuesday with possession of a schedule II controlled substance.

Police say officers stopped Toves on Sunday and noticed a small resealable plastic bag on the driver’s side floorboard between his legs. A drug-detector dog later conducted a free-air sniff around the vehicle and alerted officers, prompting a search of the car.

According to the complaint, officers found a brown backpack behind the driver’s seat containing a red sipper-style case. Inside were syringes, resealable plastic bags and other drug paraphernalia.

Toves allegedly told officers he had a drug problem and admitted to using methamphetamine earlier that morning or the day before. He also told police the items found in the vehicle contained methamphetamine.