A Columbia man has been charged with felony drug and weapon possession following a middle of the night traffic stop by a Maries County Sheriff’s Deputy.

Maries County Sheriff Chris Heitman said Deputy Michael Sasseen arrested Christopher French, 31, of Columbia, on Sunday, Dec. 27 after a 2 a.m. stop in the Break Time gas station and convenience store in Vienna.

Deputy Sasseen observed a vehicle driving erratically and followed it a short distance to the Break Time. At first, French ignored the deputy and gave inconsistent stories, which raised the deputy’s suspicion to investigate. He was denied consent to search the vehicle and requested K-9 support. Lt. Mark Morgan responded with the sheriff’s K-9, Kimon. The dog alerted on the vehicle, which gave Deputy Sasseen probable cause to search it. A white, crystal substance was located in the glove box, capsules containing a brown powder substance were located between the seat and center console, as well as on the vehicle’s floorboard. Deputy Sasseen also found a pipe. French admitted it was for methamphetamine usage. He also had a loaded Keltic 9mm handgun under the driver’s seat.

He was arrested and Maries County Prosecutor Tony Skouby charged French with the class D felony of possession of controlled substance, and class E felony of unlawful use of weapon-possess weapon and a felony controlled substance, and the misdemeanors of unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia and failure to drive on the right half of roadway when the roadway was of sufficient width.

Judge Kerry Rowden ordered French to be held without bond until he can appear before the judge in court.