Jonathan Bradley Varner
By Christa Jennings
Senior Staff Writer
A Sylacauga man was arrested earlier this month after a traffic stop led to a drug-related arrest for mushrooms.
On July 11, the Sheriff’s Office set up a driver’s license safety checkpoint on County Road 41 in the Weogufka area. As one vehicle pulled up to the checkpoint, the driver appeared to have been drinking.
Deputies smelled alcohol and saw open containers in the vehicle, leading them to have the driver step out of the vehicle for them to perform a field sobriety test.
Law enforcement officers also conducted a search of the vehicle for alcoholic beverages. Upon conducting the search, deputies found a bag believed to contain mushrooms.
As the search continued, deputies opened the trunk and discovered a large sum of cash and drug paraphernalia.
Upon checking the weight of the mushrooms, they weighed a total of 12.5 grams.
On Thursday, July 11, 45-year-old Jonathan Bradley Varner of Sylacauga was arrested and charged with drug trafficking of mushrooms and public intoxication.
His total bond was set at $10,500, and he was released on bond on July 12 to await trial.
