Arrest by OC Deputies results in Multiple Charges

An early morning traffic stop on Wednesday led to the arrest of two individuals, each on multiple charges.  Oconee County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Jimmy Watt gives details.  “31-year-old Ladonnia Kaye Moore of Seneca has been charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamines, driving under suspension, and giving false information to a law enforcement officer. 36-year-old Timothy Howard Elrod of Seneca has been charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm or ammunition by a person convicted of a violent felony.  According to investigators, a deputy was alerted around 1:20am by an employee of a store in West Union of a male and female who had been acting suspiciously.  The deputy noticed the individuals standing beside a white Nissan Maxima which contained a 45 day temporary tag.  After checking with the Sheriff’s Office dispatch, the deputy was advised that there was no information on that tag.  The deputy then noticed the vehicle cross the fog line and then crossed over the double yellow line on Highway 11 just before Main Street in West Union and then pulled into the left turn lane.  Due to observations of the vehicle and the vehicle registration not showing in the DMV files, a traffic stop was initiated on West Main Street just before Torrington Road. The deputy then noticed some suspicious activity after activating his blue lights and the driver eventually turned the vehicle onto Torrington Road and into the Action Food parking lot, where the deputy reported continuing to see some suspicious activity by the occupants of the vehicle and that they appeared to be nervous. The deputy then asked the driver, Ms. Moore, for her license, registration and proof of insurance.  The driver could not produce a license and then provided the deputy a false name and a false birthdate and continued to be evasive.  The male passenger, Mr. Elrod, gave the deputy a vehicle registration that had no identifying information and proof of insurance.  While the deputy checked on the status of the driver’s license of Ms. Moore and any active warrants, Mr. Elrod reportedly exited the vehicle, walked to the front of the car and opened the hood of the car.  The deputy ordered him to return to the car and upon doing so, obtained identification, in which he identified him as Timothy Elrod, upon which the deputy asked dispatch for any outstanding warrants on Mr. Elrod. After another deputy arrived on the scene, dispatch informed deputies that Ms. Moore had a suspended license and to use caution concerning Mr. Elrod reportedly due to possible gang activity.  Mr. Elrod was asked to step out of the vehicle and advised deputies after being asked if he had any weapons that he had a needle in his back pocket.  After the needle was removed, Mr. Elrod proceeded to place his hands down the front of his pants.  Deputies noticed a clear plastic bag at the top of his pants, what Mr. Elrod later said contained pills. Ms. Moore was asked to step out of the vehicle and stand outside while the vehicle was checked for weapons.  The deputy noticed drug paraphernalia and a small clear baggie was checking the passenger side of the car.  As the search continued, according to deputies, several small clear baggies were found in the vehicle.  A field test unit was brought by Seneca Police, which revealed a positive test for methamphetamines for a substance found in the back right passenger floor.  A small clear baggie containing a crystal like substance was found in Ms. Moore’s purse.  A search of the hood was conducted after a deputy observed Mr. Elrod earlier in the traffic stop at that location of the vehicle.  Upon a search, a handgun was found between the battery and the headlight.   Mr. Elrod and Ms. Moore were placed under arrest and transported to the Oconee County Detention Center.  Upon a search at the detention center, a female detention officer found a small baggie containing a white crystal like substance on Ms. Moore.  Deputies then radioed for a tow truck to tow the Maxima from the location of the traffic stop.” Moore and Elrod have past criminal histories.  The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office is continuing their investigation.