BEDFORD — A Bedford man faces multiple felony and misdemeanor charges after a traffic stop in Bedford led officers to discover illegal narcotics, including methamphetamine and fentanyl.
Michael Allen Cooper Jr., 39, was arrested on Saturday, August 8th by Bedford Police officers. He faces preliminary charges of driving while his driver’s license was suspended with a prior conviction, possession of methamphetamine, possession of a narcotic drug, and possession of marijuana.
According to a probable cause affidavit filed by Bedford Police Officer J. Landon Jones, the incident began around 4:37 p.m. near the intersection of 14th Street and L Street. While on stationary patrol, Officer Jones observed a male driving a purple and blue motorcycle southbound on L Street and recognized the rider as Cooper.
A background check through state databases revealed Cooper’s driving privileges were suspended with a prior conviction, and he possessed only a regular ID card with no motorcycle endorsement.
When Cooper turned into a nearby convenience store parking lot, Officer Jones initiated a traffic stop. Cooper initially began walking toward the store entrance, but stopped and returned to his motorcycle after the officer activated his emergency air horn and directed him to return.
While sitting near the patrol car as officers processed his identification and registration, Cooper displayed visible signs of extreme nervousness, including excessive sweating, visibly shaking hands, and a rapidly beating pulse in his chest and neck.
When asked directly if he possessed any illegal substances, Cooper admitted to having a THC vape pen in his pocket. Upon further questioning, Cooper confessed that he also had “speed” in his pocket, clarifying that the substance was methamphetamine.
Officers detained Cooper and conducted a search of his person, locating:
- A black vape pen containing a wax-like THC substance
- A round metal container holding a plastic baggie with a crystal-like substance
Preliminary field tests conducted at the Bedford Police Department yielded positive results for methamphetamine and fentanyl in the crystal-like substance, as well as THC in the vape pen wax. Court records note Cooper was previously convicted of dealing in methamphetamine in Lawrence County in 2013.
Cooper was arrested at the scene and transported to the Lawrence County Jail for booking and housing. With permission from the convenience store owner, his motorcycle was left secured in the parking lot.
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This article is based on the information provided in the probable cause affidavit and does not represent a final determination of guilt or innocence.
