LANCASTER, S.C. — A Lancaster man was arrested Monday, May 12, on multiple drug and traffic charges following an investigation and traffic stop by the Lancaster County Multijurisdictional Narcotics Task Force.
John Wylie Gay, Jr., 36, was taken into custody after investigators stopped his vehicle near the intersection of 10th Street and Great Falls Highway. The arrest followed a controlled buy of suspected methamphetamine from Gay’s residence on Old Evans Circle last month, which led to warrants for his arrest on drug distribution charges.
During the traffic stop, investigators found Gay alone in a Honda Accord with a dealer tag. A search of the vehicle uncovered an unlocked safe containing 218.04 grams of suspected methamphetamine, ten suspected Clonazepam pills, and 25.21 grams of suspected marijuana. Authorities also located $13,580 in cash stored in a box and an open bottle of beer in Gay’s pocket. The vehicle was not insured, and Gay was driving on a suspended license.
In addition to the initial charges related to the controlled buy—Distribution of Methamphetamine and Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance in Proximity to Connection Park—Gay now faces the following charges:
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Trafficking Methamphetamine 200–400 Grams
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Possession with Intent to Distribute Clonazepam
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Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana
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Driving Under Suspension (Third or Subsequent Offense)
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Habitual Traffic Offender
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Uninsured Motor Vehicle (Traffic Citation)
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Open Container (Traffic Citation)
Gay was transported to the Lancaster County Detention Center. He received a $2,100 personal recognizance bond for the driving under suspension charge, while bond was denied on the remaining charges.
“Gay was breaking about every rule in the book when he was stopped yesterday,” said Lancaster County Sheriff Barry Faile. “This is a lot of methamphetamine, and certainly far more than one person would be expected to use. This quantity of methamphetamine along with the other drugs and cash suggest we interrupted many more sales.”
The sheriff’s office reminds the public that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Anyone with information about this case or other related activity is encouraged to contact the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office at 803-283-3388 (Option 4), submit a tip at www.p3tips.com/983, or use the P3Tips mobile app. Tips may be submitted anonymously.
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