Story Submitted
Major David Harper of the Madison County Sheriff’s Office reports that on Monday, Dec. 12, at 7:42 a.m. Sgt. Odell Livingston was dispatched to 396 NE Nixon Way in reference to a stolen cell phone. Upon arrival, the victim informed Sgt. Livingston that Jessica Rae Mauldin along with a male came to his residence for no specific reason. The victim stated that he invited them inside his residence and had placed his cell phone on a table. The victim soon left the room for a brief moment and when he returned Mauldin and the male suddenly left and were observed driving off in a silver Nissan Maxima. The victim immediately noticed his cell phone was missing from the table.
Sgt. Livingston requested assistance from DTF Investigators Sgt. Jarrod Lauth and Sgt. Bobby Boatwright to attempt to locate Mauldin and the silver Nissan. After checking several residences Sgt. Livingston spotted Mauldin driving the Nissan at the intersection of Country Kitchen Road and Kennedy Terrace. Sgt. Livingston conducted a traffic stop and requested Mauldin to exit the vehicle. Mauldin complied and Sgt. Livingston questioned Mauldin about the phone. Mauldin admitted to being at the victim’s residence but denied taking the phone.
Sgt. Lauth and Sgt. Boatwright arrived at the traffic stop to assist with the investigation. While Sgt. Boatwright was talking with the male subject who was still sitting in the Nissan, Sgt. Boatwright observed a small blue plastic baggie on the floor of the Nissan. Sgt. Boatwright recognized the baggie as the type that is commonly used to package illegal narcotics for sale. Sgt. Boatwright then deployed K-9 “Leo” to conduct a free air sniff on the exterior of the Nissan. K-9 “Leo” gave a positive alert to the presence of narcotic odor coming from the Nissan.
Sgt. Lauth and Sgt. Boatwright conducted a probable cause search of the Nissan. During the search the investigators located several bags and other items on the back seat. Mauldin claimed ownership of the bags and items. During a detailed search of the bags, investigators located numerous items of drug paraphernalia including a large number of small plastic baggies that matched the one observed on the floor of the car, a razor blade, digital scales with drug residue and a glass smoking pipe containing methamphetamine residue along with two hard plastic containers that each contained methamphetamine. A .22 caliber handgun and ammunition was also located behind the driver’s seat. A further search of the vehicle resulted in the recovery of the stolen cell phone. Mauldin was placed under arrest without incident, and the cell phone was returned to the victim.
Arrested:
Jessica Rae Mauldin
Petit theft
Possess with intent to distribute – methamphetamine
Possess concealed firearm during felony
Possess drug paraphernalia / equipment