Shortly after 9:30pm on Friday night a Walnut Ridge Officer observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed and driving erratic on Hwy 67. The officer made a traffic stop on the vehicle and immediately smelled a strong odor of marijuana. Upon interviewing the driver, officers were given consent to search the vehicle.
The search of the vehicle yielded a large amount of marijuana as well as multiple types of pills. The driver identified as Brian Rutherford, age 34 of Paragould (formerly of Walnut Ridge) was arrested and charged with numerous felony counts including possession of a controlled substance Class VI, possession of a controlled substance Class III, possession of a controlled substance Class IV (all felony) and one count of reckless driving.
Rutherford was arrested and transported to the Lawrence County Detention Center to await a bond hearing.
Rutherford was also on active probation at the time of his latest arrest. Rutherford has an extensive criminal background with prior charges of burglary, battery, and numerous drug charges.