Hallsville man expected to face drug, weapon charges in court Monday

A Hallsville man was arrested on suspicion of drug and weapon violations after Columbia police stopped a car Thursday morning for having nonworking driver’s side taillight, police said.

After the car pulled over, police said they could smell marijuana coming from it as they walked up.

Police said they saw a black scale near the driver’s side floor board and then removed the driver out of the car.

Police then addressed the passenger, John Ross Alexander, 34, who they say told them he was on parole and was carrying a firearm in his front pocket.

Police said after they took the gun, which was loaded, they found a black bag between Alexander’s feet.

Police said they found marijuana, numerous capped syringes and plastic baggies, a digital scale, two bags of a white, flaky substance and three bags with a white, powdery substance.

Police said the flaky substance tested positive for methamphetamine and weighed about 33.48 grams. They said the powdery substance tested positive for heroin and weighed about 0.1 grams.

Alexander also had about $1,360 in cash in his pocket, police said.

Alexander was arrested on suspicion of drug trafficking, unlawful distribution of controlled substance, unlawful possession of a concealed weapon and unlawful use of a weapon.

According to Boone County Jail records, Alexander is expected to have his first court appearance at 1:30 p.m. Monday.

Online court records show that Alexander has not been officially charged.