By Patrick Yost
Editor

The alleged failure to use a turn signal while changing lanes on Interstate 20 may have cost two men $130,000.

Morgan County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Eric Adcock stopped a 1999 GMC Yukon on I–20 on Sunday, August 17 at approximately 7:30 p.m. after, reports state, Adcock alleged the driver of the vehicle failed to use his turn signal to go from the passing lane to the right lane.

Following the stop and after interviewing both the driver and a passenger in the SUV, Adcock found a blue bag in the vehicle that contained approximately $130,000 and a Smith and Wesson .40 caliber pistol.

Morgan County Sheriff Robert Markely said per federal guidelines, the money was seized by the DEA. The DEA will pursue the matter in a civil case, Markley said.

Reports state that Roderic Tyrone Amos, 33, Scottsville, Va., was given a warning citation for failure to signal, brake light violation, carrying a concealed weapon and possession of marijuana less than an ounce. Officers found a small bag of suspected marijuana near a patrol car that they allege Amos threw while a deputy was speaking with a passenger in the vehicle.

After the initial traffic stop, reports state, Amos told Adcock that there was approximately $30,000 in the vehicle that Amos and passenger Todd Patrick Smith, 38, Darlington, were going to use to purchase a motor for a race car. Smith told deputies that there was approximately $60,000 in the vehicle. Smith was also given a warning on possession of marijuana and carrying a concealed weapon.

Georgia State Patrol Trooper Blake Swicord arrived at the scene and processed the money. Both men were given a receipt for the cash and released with warnings.

Markley said the money will be turned over to the Federal Drug Enforcement Agency to be determined if it should be seized. If seized, the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office and the Georgia State Patrol could share in 80 percent, or approximately $104,000. Markley said the seizure marks one of the largest on Morgan County record.