On Wednesday, August 25th, while on routine patrol, Galesburg Police were alerted to a loud and defective muffler in the area of East Second Street and South Chambers Street. Police initiated a traffic stop, and the vehicle pulled into the Hi-Lo Grocery parking lot. The driver was identified as 37-year old Justin Stokes of Galesburg. The passenger refused to identify himself, but officers were familiar with 60-year old Kevin Smith of Smithfield from previous encounters. Officers conducted a free air sniff test with a K9 officer – which alerted them to illegal narcotics in the vehicle. A baggie of what later field-tested positive for methamphetamine was located in the center console of the vehicle. Stokes told officers the meth was Smith’s. Smith told officers the meth belonged to Stokes. An empty hypodermic needle found in the vehicle was also found. Both Smith and Stokes were arrested, charged with Possession of Meth less than 5 grams, and taken to the Knox County Jail.
