Imperial Man Charged After Traffic Stop

Potosi, Mo. (KFMO) - Charges have been filed against 38-year-old Robert E. Christian, of Imperial, stemming from a traffic stop conducted by the Potosi Police Department, on Saturday, August 10.

According to a probable cause statement, the the traffic stop was conducted due to expired registration. Upon making contact with Christian, the officer noticed that he was not wearing his seat belt. After the officer ran Christian's name, the officer learned that he was a suspended driver through the State of Missouri with a possible warrant for his arrest through the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office. Washington County Central Dispatch confirmed that the warrant was active and further stated that the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office would extradite.

The officer made contact with Christian and placed him under arrest for the active warrant. The officer allowed Christian to search for a valid driver for the vehicle in which he was unable to do so. While this officer tried to help the defendant find a valid driver for the vehicle, the Washington County Sheriff's Department K-9 arrived to conduct a free air sniff around the exterior of the vehicle. K-9 Athena had alerted to the odor of narcotics coming from the interior of the vehicle.

Christian was placed into the patrol vehicle and a search of his vehicle took place. During the search of the vehicle, the officer located a pill bottle which contained shrooms (psilocybin mushrooms) in the front driver side door. The officer also located an M&P Shield 9mm handgun in the front floorboard of the vehicle. The handgun had a bullet in the chamber with numerous rounds in the magazine.

A gray in color Exus Vrs bag behind the front passenger seat was located. Inside the bag, a clear plastic baggie, containing three crystal like rocks, a clear plastic baggie containing a brown powder substance, and two glass pipes containing a crystal like substance were located.

A blue in color Coleman suitcase in the back seat of the vehicle was also located. Inside the suitcase, a scale with visible white residue was located. The baggie containing three crystal like rocks was tested and tested positive for methamphetamine. The clear plastic baggie containing a brown powder substance will be sent to the crime lab for further testing.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office K-9 assisted on the stop and alerted on the vehicle.

Christian has been charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Unlawful Use of a Weapon.  

Christian was placed into the Washington County Jail and has since bonded out.