Excessive Speed On I-64 Quickly Leads To Drug And Weapons Charges

Last updated on Friday, September 22, 2017

(SPENCER CO.) - A traffic stop for reckless speeds on Interstate 64 Wednesday afternoon led to two men being jailed on drug and weapons charges.

At 12:38 p.m. Wednesday, Master Trooper Randy Neighbors was patrolling Interstate 64 when he observed a silver 2016 Chevrolet Cruze driving eastbound at 101 miles per hour. As Neighbors was attempting to pull the Chevrolet over, Master Trooper Brian LaRoche clocked the Chevy traveling at 113 miles per hour. The Chevy stopped for Troopers at the 60 mile marker.

While troopers were speaking with the driver, 21-year-old Christopher Mackey of Aurora, Colorado, LaRoche could smell the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. As LaRoche and Neighbors searched the vehicle, they located a loaded 9mm handgun with a 30 round magazine at the feet of the passenger, 25-year-old Justin Beckner of North Tazewell, Virginia. Beckner did not have a handgun license. Troopers also found approximately one pound of marijuana in the trunk of the car.

Mackey and Beckner were arrested without incident and transported to the Spencer County Jail on the following charges:

Arrested and Charges:

Christopher Mackey, 21, Aurora, Colorado

Dealing Marijuana, Level 6 Felony
Possession of Marijuana, Level 6 Felony
Reckless Driving, Class C Misdemeanor
Operating without a Valid License, Class C Misdemeanor

Justin Beckner, 25, North Tazewell, Virginia

Dealing Marijuana, Level 6 Felony
Possession of Marijuana, Level 6 Felony
Possession of a Firearm without a License, Class A Misdemeanor

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