By Staff
ST. JOSEPH - At 2:20 p.m. Wednesday, March 16, Berrien County Deputy Sheriff Eugene Casto was on traffic patrol on I-94 near Napier Avenue in Benton Township when he observed a vehicle exceeding the speed limit.
Casto stopped the vehicle as it entered a gas station at the interchange.
When Casto approached the driver, Jean Phillippe Prosper, 22, of 6275 Central, Apt. 1, Coloma, who stated he did not have a driver's license.
A computer check indicated Prosper's license was suspended.
Casto also detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from Prosper.
Prosper was allegedly concealing a bag containing 11 packages of marijuana with a $220 street value.
Casto lodged Prosper in the Berrien County Jail pending arraignment on charges of possesson of marijuana with intent to deliver, second offense, and driving while license suspended, second offense.
Casto also seized a 1985 Oldsmobile and a cell phone under civil forfeiture.
Based on information from this arrest, Casto and the Berrien County Narcotics Unit went to Prosper's apartment and spoke with the person who shares the residence.
Officers received consent to search the residence and discovered two small firearms under a bed.
The resident stated one safe was theirs and showed the officers it contained only personal effects.
The resident stated a second safe was Prosper's and the resident did not know what it contained.
Officers obtained a search warrant to open the safe, using a key found on Prosper.
The safe contained an additional half-pound of marijuana packaged in various sizes, with a street value of $500, along with a scale and other drug evidence.