Deputy Travis Turner stopped a car driven by Joseph Sauls III, (34 yo, of Nashhville) on state highway 355, just south of Mineral Springs Sunday evening (January 3, 2016) for a traffic violation. Sauls’ father (Joseph Sauls Jr., 58 yo of Kansas) was the passenger in Sauls’ car. Turner was assisted by Howard County Jailer/Reserve Deputy, Kevin Rodgers, who was riding with Turner at the time of the stop. Turner smelled an odor coming from the car and Sauls that lead Turner to suspect they had been drinking. Turner then noticed a very strong odor of unburned marijuana coming from inside the car. Turner searched the car with the Sauls Jr. and Sauls III outside the car. Turner handcuffed Sauls Jr. during this search. As Turner began searching near the trunk area of the car (behind the back seats) Sauls III ran away from the traffic stop while still handcuffed. Turner caught Sauls III quickly and walked him back to Turner’s patrol car. Turner found several trash bags along with duffle bags and backpacks in the trunk of Sauls’ car. Turner also found a large amount of cash in the front console of Sauls’ car ($8250). Inside the bags in the trunk were approximately (62 lbs. of processed marijuana, compacted into bricks or small bales).

Sauls Jr. and Sauls III were arrested and transported to jail. The Sheriff’s Office seized the car, driven by Sauls III, the cash, and the drugs. The two were arrested for Possession of Controlled Substance (Marijuana) with the purpose to deliver; and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. No bond has been set at the time of this press release. The two are expected to have a court appearance in Howard County Circuit Court Wednesday, January 6th.

 Sheriff Bryan McJunkins