Probation Violation Arrest Leads To Pot Possession Charge

When a sheriff's deputy shows up at your door, it's not a good idea to have a bag of marijuana in your pants when you answer, a local man on probation learned recently.

On Oct. 6, 2010, at approximately 9:53 p.m., Cannon County Sheriff's Deputy Lawrence "Chip" Avera went to 1395 K Parker Rd., Bradyville, to serve an arrest warrant on Steven Ray Ratliff for violation of probation.

According to Deputy Avera's report, once contact was made with Ratliff, Ratliff advised him that he had in his possession a small bag on marijuana.

Upon searching Ratliff, Deputy Avera found in his right front pants pocket a zip-lock bag containing a small amount of a green leafy substance believe to be marijuana.

Ratliff was placed on probation until Jan. 19, 2011 after being convicted on July 20, 2010, for Driving On/With Suspended License (1st offense). He allegedly violated his probation on Sept. 22, 1010, by testing positive for marijuana.

Ratliff was issued a release citation on the simple possession charge. Bond was set at $2,500 on the charge of probation violation. Initial court date is set for Nov. 30, 2010.