Monroe County Sheriff's Office Narcotics Officer B.J. Johnson charged three out-of-state suspects with drug, gun and theft charges after a traffic stop on Interstate 75 Tuesday night.
Johnson's warrants said he stopped a car with a New York license plate around 10 p.m. for a tag violation.

Johnson said the driver Carlos D. Coley, Orlando, Fla., told him the men were traveling from St. Louis, but the other two suspects gave conflicting statements.
After searching the car, Johnson said a quarter-pound of marijuana was located along with a stolen pistol. Johnson said he discovered all three men were convicted felons.

Coley, and Aqualius S. Battle, Atlanta, Ga., and Chaswan N. Battle, were all charged with felonious possession of marijuana, theft over $500 and possession of a firearm during the commission of a drug felony.
Johnson said the gun was a .45 Glock pistol stolen from Missouri.

tommy.millsaps@advocateanddemocrat.com | 337-7101