Traffic Stop Culminates In Drug Arrest

On May 8th, park ranger trainee Matt Smith and field training ranger Justin Ivary made a vehicle stop for excessive speed on Highway 89 within the park. A consent search of the vehicle revealed drug paraphernalia associated with heroin use. Further search led to the recovery of marijuana and controlled prescription drugs for which the driver had no prescription. Ranger Julie Kovacs and her drug dog, “Emma,” were instrumental in the search.  The driver was arrested and taken to the Teton County jail.  After consultation with assistant U.S. attorney  Lee Pico, Smith wrote a criminal complaint charging the driver with 21 USC 844a, possession of controlled substances (marijuana and Suboxone).