One arrested in Cole Co. drug bust

Monday, March 5, 2012

A woman from California was being held Monday afternoon in the Cole County Jail after being charged with possession of methamphetamine following a search of her vehicle.

According to a Cole County Sheriff’s Department probable cause statement, Sarah Moad, 28, was spotted going east in the 7200 block of U.S. 50 around 4 p.m. Sunday.

She was among several vehicles that were detected speeding in that area. When she noticed a marked sheriff’s patrol vehicle, Moad accelerated, separating herself from the other traffic, officers said.

After she was stopped and the deputy began to talk with her, she became evasive about details of her destination when asked about illegal drugs.

A check of the vehicle by the sheriff’s K-9 dog resulted in an alert on the driver’s side door, indicating the presence of illegal drugs.

A search of the vehicle and of Moad found one gram of a substance in a small, clear resealable bag in Moad’s right shoe which was determined to be methamphetamine.

Located under the driver’s seat were approximately 400 empty bags which were believed to be used for illegal drug distribution.

Moad confirmed to deputies it was methamphetamine and that she paid $100 for the substance.

She said she got the meth from an unidentified subject.

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Sequoia 1 year, 2 months ago

Remember folks, if you must ride dirty: drive safe, act normal and never, ever, consent to a search.

John 1 year, 2 months ago

No need for consent if the dog alerts on you or your vehicle.

viktorkowski 1 year, 2 months ago

not if its in a container with mustard. throws the dogs off everytime. at least thats what the mexicans are using now

Sequoia 1 year, 2 months ago

To a dog, that just smells like a container full of mustard and drugs. Won't throw off the dog at all.

To put it another way, we smell the soup. Dogs can smell each ingredient.

The bigger problem is that some cops slyly teach drug dogs to react on command. So the cop can make the dog act like he smells drugs. That's probable cause. If the search turns up nothing... blame the dog.

viktorkowski 1 year, 2 months ago

source if from recent DEA wire report. take it up with them if its not true

Sequoia 1 year, 2 months ago

DEA is not known for truthful statements.

Sequoia 1 year, 2 months ago

...unless the use of the dog itself is unconstitutional.

Only recently has the Supreme Court allowed police to use a dog sniff during routine traffic stops. However, my understanding of the law is that the police cannot detain the driver beyond the time it would take to write a ticket, unless the officer has reasonable suspicion to detain the driver for something else.

So, police can use a dog to search your car during a traffic stop. But, the dog search cannot take longer than the original traffic stop (ie, the time it takes to get a ticket) unless you give the cop some reason to think you're doing something besides speeding.

Hence my first two tips: Drive safe, and act normal.

Know your rights. If you consent, they're gone. You can challenge police conduct in court. But if you consent, your case is lost.

Learn how to politely refuse consent. Ask, "Am I under arrest, or am I free to go?"

John 1 year, 2 months ago

Detaining a driver is up to the officer. A law enforcement officer may detain you withOUT arresting you.

Sequoia 1 year, 2 months ago

Bzzzt. Wrong. It is not up to the officer. It is up to the evidence. An officer cannot just detain anyone for any reason. They must have reasonable suspicion for a stop, probable cause for an arrest.

Read your constitution. Know your rights. They are yours!

spelchek 1 year, 2 months ago

I find it amusing that some on hear that usually comment in favor of more laws and more regulation are giving step by step instructions on how to get out of breaking them. Que sera sera...

Sequoia 1 year, 2 months ago

I'm in favor of individual rights. This is how to protect YOUR RIGHTS.

Some people only worry about the rights of corporate people. I like the flesh-and-blood kind.

Sequoia 1 year, 2 months ago

Speaking of which, YOU'RE the one promoting illegal drug use in your profile picture!

spelchek 1 year, 2 months ago

"Speaking of which, YOU'RE the one promoting illegal drug use in your profile picture!"

If that were true, our President has a lot of explaining to do.

spelchek 1 year, 2 months ago

"I'm in favor of individual rights." -- LOL

TraceyT 1 year, 2 months ago

"Located under the driver’s seat were approximately 400 empty bags which were believed to be used for illegal drug distribution." Distribution? Maybe she just uses a lot...

wow 1 year, 2 months ago

When Sarah Moad she was stopped for speding it was over. She broke a law...she was "speeding" for which she could've been arrested. Therefore the Cops had her. Add the fact that when she noticed a marked sheriff’s patrol vehicle, Moad accelerated, separating herself from the other traffic, "officers" (more than one Cop) said this is what happened...and that looks very strong in court. Also now the Cops have reasonable suspicion to look for things outside of the Traffic Violation...after all it wasn't normal for her (a normal person) to accelerate away from the Cops who've already noticed her speeding. Add that after she was stopped and the deputy began to talk with her, she became evasive about details of her destination when asked about illegal drugs.

Based on all of that and a readilly available K-9 , having the dog take a whiff is within the letter of the law. FYI...the K-9 either finds something ...or he/she doesn't. There is no fake signal...it's either a drug hit or it's not. In this case it was a postive hit that yielded more than Weed! The Cops did what they were suppose to do. They followed the law and got a Doper off the road...you'd think more people would be thankful....but then again, Law Enforcement is a thankless job.

In closing, based on some of these comments, a few of you better not get stopped by the Poleece. Cause that Jail House Lawyer stuff ain't gonna get you anything, but a trip down to Adams street. It's like this...you can go kickin and screaming if you wish...but if you are into what Sarah Moad is into.....sooner or later you will get caught.

Chalk one up for the Do-Righter's!!!!!

viktorkowski 1 year, 2 months ago

let's not kid ourselves. Its all about the money. If she has enough money she can buy herself out of this by using effective council.

Sequoia 1 year, 2 months ago

Nothing anti-law or pro-drug, but since you're such a legal expert, you probably understand that the person whose name you're throwing around (and your comment put her name right on the front page, while your name stays hidden) hasn't been convicted of anything yet, and I'm sure you understand the meaning of the word "libel."

As for drug dogs, anyone who has ever owned a dog knows that all a dog wants to do is make his master happy. What makes a drug cop happy?

Don't take my word for it: ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/welcome/features/2010-2011/02/20110223_drug_dogs.html

muleman 1 year, 2 months ago

You cant be arrested for speeding unless its 25 mph over the posted limit

bluesfan13 1 year, 2 months ago

"Speeding" is not an offense punishable by jail, it is not an arrestable offence. However, Careless and Imprudent driving is.

Sequoia 1 year, 2 months ago

Are you sure about that? I think police can arrest you if they have probable cause that you violated ANY law, including speeding. Getting arrested and going to jail are two different things. You can be arrested for things that don't carry jail time. Can you provide a citation to something to show what you're talking about?

linoge 1 year, 2 months ago

Rich kids get busted and go to treatment: They are victims of an "addiction problem." Poor kids get busted and go to jail: They are guilty of criminal behavior.

spelchek 1 year, 2 months ago

Poor kids commit premeditated murder and get a plea deal.

lovemykids 1 year, 2 months ago

We are kind of talking in circles here. How about this. At this point in our society you could literally get more time for pointing out the dude who is selling the acid than you do for a murder if you are underage. Scary.

John 1 year, 2 months ago

She is not a "kid."

wow 1 year, 2 months ago

The paper used her name....I only used a computer funtion known as cut and paste. She is innocent until proven guilty and she will have her day to deal with the legal system. Perhaps you have had some expereience in the issue of Drug K-9's faking to detect drigs....me, I don't have any experience in that area. So I cannot continue to debate that issue.

All I know is that a person got arrested for a drug crime. As listed in the paper, her name is Sara Moad. My earlier commentf was not intended to be a conviction on her. It was to comment on just how complicated it is for our Law Enforcement people to do an effective job without being second guessed and referred to as people who can and only do their job if they are allowed to break the very same laws they have sworn to enforce. Just like every other profession....there are some bad ones....but for the most part. There are some very good Cops who do a very good job enforcing the law and catching criminals. I believe the Cops in this case are the some of the very good Cops I mentioned.

elegantflower 1 year, 2 months ago

This is really a sad situation and I would like to point out that this woman has kids and contrary to the situation she is a good mom. I never thought I would say that, but it is the truth. I hope the kids are okay. When someone loses their job and they have kids to take care of and raise there is little assistance available. You have to find a way to keep paying the bills and making sure your kids have clothes on their back and food on the table. I pray her kids are okay.

eileen10 1 year, 2 months ago

a good mom would use what money she has to feed and clothe her children.she would not use the money to buy drugs.

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