Early January 21st, Galesburg Police responded to the 400 block of Dietrich Avenue in reference to a suspicious vehicle. Upon arrival, GPD was directed to the caller’s undeveloped lot where a running pickup truck was parked and a driver seated inside. As police approached the truck, the driver: 46-year old Merita Smith of Galesburg exited the vehicle and said she pulled onto the lot because she had a headache. She also told police she couldn’t be arrested because she’s “a secret agent” according to police reports. Smith attempted to reach for items that had fallen out of the truck which included a knife sheath. Officers repeatedly told Smith to stop as she began kicking and resisting officers. She was eventually put into handcuffs after officers deployed a taser, but moments later, she dropped the handcuffs to the ground and told officers she was “Houdini”. Smith was then placed in handcuffs again. After Smith requested medical attention, she was transported to Cottage Hospital where she continued acting erratic and aggressive. Hospital staff believed Smith was under the influence of narcotics, and in an effort to not put anyone in harm’s way, a sobriety test wasn’t conducted. Merita Smith was charged with DUI Drugs, Criminal Trespass, and Obstructing a Peace Officer.
January 22nd, just before 5:00 am, while on patrol near East Main and Seminary Streets, Galesburg Police initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle with an expired registration. Police made contact with the driver: 42-year old Tyson Graves of Galesburg. Graves was “acting very excited and fidgety” according to police reports, and police believed he was under the influence of narcotics. Officers had Graves conduct a field sobriety test which he failed and was placed under arrest. A search of the vehicle turned up a small glass container with 7 Hydrocodone pills and a small amount of suspected Methamphetamine. Police also located a box of “Kratom.” Kratom is tree leaves that are used as a recreational drug and as medicine. Kratom is used for withdrawal from opioid drugs, as well as depression and anxiety; but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. It’s banned in many states but not in Illinois. Graves was charged for DUI Drugs, Possession of Meth less than 5 grams, and Possession of a Controlled Substance. He was also cited for Expired Registration and Expired Driver’s License.
