Area law enforcement discovered a Columbia man was allegedly in possession of an illegal drug after a traffic stop in Howard County last week.
According to a probable-cause statement, on February 2, Fayette Police officers initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle reportedly missing a front bumper and license plate. Officers spoke with the driver, 28-year-old Chris Barnhart, and a subsequent search of the vehicle reportedly found a backpack containing baggies of methamphetamine and various drug paraphernalia.
Online court documents say Barnhart has been charged with a Class D Felony for Possession of a Controlled Substance Except 35 Grams or Less of Marijuana or Synthetic Cannabinoid and a drug-related misdemeanor. Bond was fixed at $20,000 cash only.
Barnhart’s initial hearing at Howard County Circuit Court in Fayette is pending.