Sheriff Jody Dotson reports the arrest of Joseph Fred Rice of Black Rock for possession of a controlled substance (Meth) and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The arrest came after a deputy from the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office noticed a vehicle sitting in the middle of the street in Black Rock blocking traffic. After stopping to check on the driver, the deputy noticed the driver (Rice) shaking and acting very nervous. The deputy asked Rice about any illegal substances on him or in his vehicle. During a consent search Rice emptied his pockets and the deputy noticed Rice trying to hide a baggie of Meth. The deputy recovered the meth and then also found burnt tin foil and a straw that Rice admitted to the deputy he used to smoke meth with.

Rice was placed under arrest and transported to the Lawrence County Jail to await a bond hearing. Bond was set at $2500.00 and a Circuit Court date of Feb. 10th was issued at a Jan. 24th hearing.