A routine traffic stop in the early hours of Wednesday produced guns, cash, drugs and drug paraphernalia and two arrests were made.
According to the Barton County Sheriff’s Office, at about 1:43 a.m. on Wednesday Sheriff’s deputies stopped a vehicle near the intersection of 10th and Patton in Great Bend for a traffic violation.
It was found the driver of the 2006 Pontiac G6 was a habitual violator and driving on a revoked driver’s license. Officers also noted the license plate on the vehicle had been altered and was expired. The driver was placed under arrest.
“During the course of the investigation, a quantity of suspected marijuana and suspected methamphetamine were also found in the vehicle. Along with the controlled substances, Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir said. “Deputies found two .45-caliber pistols as well as a semi-automatic rifle. Scales, packing material and other drug paraphernalia were found in the vehicle. $509 in US currency was also seized. The vehicle was also occupied by a female passenger who was also placed under arrest on drug charges.”
The driver was identified as Codey Elsasser age 23, of Great Bend. Elsasser was booked into the Barton County jail for possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute within 1000 feet of a school, possession of methamphetamine, possession of paraphernalia, no drug tax stamp, criminal use of a weapon, driving while revoked and various other traffic violations.
The female passenger was identified as Autumn R. Coleman age 23, of Pullman, Alaska. Coleman was charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute within 1000 feet of a school, possession of drug paraphernalia and no tax stamp. Bond for both the suspects has been set at $300,000.