Searcy County Sheriff Kenny Cassell reported 36 year old Billy Joe Bass of Harrison was arrested on the evening of August 20 at the Searcy County Detention Center. Cassell explained that Bass drove to the detention center to pick up a check for another individual. After Bass requested the check, an employee of the center asked for Bass' identification, since that is procedure.

  After running the ID through the crime information computer, law enforcement learned Bass was driving on a suspended license. At that time, Searcy County Deputy Joey Baysinger asked Bass if he knew the status of his driver's license and Bass stated he did not know the license was expired.

  Baysinger went out to Bass' vehicle where he found three adults and a young child approximately 5-10 years old. Since Bass' vehicle was on property belonging to the Searcy County Sheriff's Office and subject to search, Baysinger had his K-9 partner, Vader, do a free air sniff of the vehicle. During the search, Vader alerted on the driver's side door of the car.

  During a search of the vehicle, Baysinger found a box that contained a bag with a crystal like substance inside, a pipe with a crystal like substance in it, another pipe that contained a green leafy substance and a clear glass pipe that contained black ash residue. After testing the crystal like substance, it tested positive for amphetamine.

  Bass was arrested and charged with felony counts of possession of meth or cocaine LT 2GM and possession of drug paraphernalia; and misdemeanor counts of possession of drug paraphernalia; driving on a suspended license; and endangering the welfare of a minor, 2nd degree. He was also charged with being an habitual offender, since his record showed he had been found guilty of five felonies.

  The evidence in this matter was turned over to an agent with the 20th Judicial Drug Task Force.