SUMTER COUNTY, S.C. — A routine traffic stop led to drug trafficking charges Sunday afternoon in Sumter County.
Sumter County Sheriff's deputies stopped a vehicle traveling twice the posted speed limit along Carolina Avenue on Aug. 18. Anthony Dwayne Pringle, Jr., 24, of Sumter, was observed traveling 60 mph in a 30-mph zone.
After stopping Pringle's vehicle, deputies noticed a strong odor of marijuana coming from the car, prompting a probable cause search of the vehicle. During the search, deputies discovered a white, powdery substance later confirmed to be cocaine, a handgun, an amount of marijuana in the vehicle, and crack cocaine in Pringle's possession.
Officers also found that Pringle's driver's license was suspended, and he was not permitted to possess a firearm due to a prior conviction for manufacturing cocaine, which is a felony.
Pringle was subsequently arrested and charged with trafficking cocaine, felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a weapon during a violent crime, simple possession of crack, possession of marijuana, speeding, and driving under suspension.
He was transported to the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office Detention Center and released on a $43,147.50 bond.