A Kokomo man is now facing multiple charges after police seized over eight pounds of marijuana and almost 400 psychedelic mushrooms from his residence earlier this month.
Malachi Peters, 27, was arrested Dec. 6 on charges of dealing a schedule 1 controlled substance, a level 2 felony; dealing marijuana, a level 6 felony; possession of marijuana with a prior conviction, a level 6 felony; and possession of a schedule 1 controlled substance, a misdemeanor, for his role in the investigation, according to a Howard County Sheriff’s Office media release.
Those charges stem from a traffic stop that was conducted on Peters’ vehicle shortly before 10 p.m. Dec. 6 near the intersection of Berkley Road and Jefferson Street, per the release.
Authorities say the stop was prompted when Peters’ vehicle was observed speeding through a red light and reportedly narrowly avoided a collision with another vehicle.
During the stop, Peters reportedly informed HCSO deputies his residence had been burglarized, and he left in a hurry to “confront the situation himself,” the release alleged.
Investigators said deputies then accompanied Peters to his residence on Harvest Drive, where “evidence of forced entry” was discovered.
But while conducting a protective sweep of the residence, deputies allegedly observed items in plain view that were consistent with marijuana distribution, according to the release.
Deputies also reportedly detected a strong odor of raw marijuana.
A search warrant was then obtained for the residence, per the release, and that’s when authorities allegedly discovered the marijuana and psychedelic mushrooms, as well as multiple firearms, drug paraphernalia and over $1,600 cash.
Peters was taken into custody without incident, and he has since bonded out of the Howard County Jail on $50,000 cash bond, with 10%.
His initial hearing is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Jan. 22 in Howard Circuit Court.
Anyone with additional information on this case is asked to contact Dep. Jackson at 765-614-3406. You can also submit tips anonymously on the HCSO’s app or by visiting www.sheriff.howardcountyin.gov.