MORGAN COUNTY
-
Terrance Moore
A man pulled over for reckless driving reached for a gun during a traffic stop, but a Morgan County deputy and a Madison police officer were able to subdue and arrest him on multiple charges on April 25, following a traffic stop that soon became dangerous.
Terrance O’Neal Moore, 57, of Rome faces charges of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, felony obstruction against law enforcement and possession of drug-related objects.
According to reports, Deputy Christopher Lash was stationed at the Monticello Road overpass after the MCSO received a BOLO for a reckless driver on I-20 eastbound.
Lash saw the vehicle, a white 2018 Chevy Malibu, driving erratically on the interstate and activated his emergency lights and siren to initiate a traffic stop near milepost 114.
According to Lash, the vehicle’s brake lights came on, but its speed decreased very little. Lash continued to follow the vehicle and was soon joined by Office Travis Stubbs of the MPD.
Speeds at that point were between 35 and 45 mph with the vehicle continuing its erratic movements on the interstate.
Abruptly, the Malibu stopped in the emergency lane, and Stubbs gave the driver verbal commands. But when Lash approached, the Malibu moved forward again, and Lash ran back to his patrol vehicle.
Again the driver stopped, and Lash and Stubbs gave Moore commands to put the vehicle in park and turn the ignition off.
Moore switched off the vehicle but failed to comply with commands to step out.
Lash opened the front door and he and Stubbs grabbed Moore and told him to get out of the car. Moore then pulled back into the car and reached over to the passenger seat where a 9mm handgun was sitting.
Stubbs and Lash managed to pull Moore from the vehicle at that point and took him to the ground, where Lash applied handcuffs.
According to Lash’s account, he saw a clear plastic bag in the door handle area that appeared to have narcotics inside it. Stubbs confirmed that he believed the bag contained crack cocaine.
During a probable cause search, the two law enforcement officers found more cocaine, a digital scale, two empty wine bottles, oxycodone and another handgun.
In the back seat, they found loose 9mm ammunition and six packages of cannabis flowers. In the trunk, they located 10 vaping devices and more baggies.
According to Lash, Moore appeared to be “out of it,” and EMS was called to the scene. However, Moore was uncooperative with EMS personnel and ultimately refused treatment.
Moore was then transported to the Morgan County jail.