A routine patrol early Wednesday morning resulted in the arrest of a West Plains woman on a drug possession charge.
According to the Howell County Sheriff’s Office, the incident occurred on December 31, 2025, at approximately 1:18 a.m., when Deputy Tyler Ryan conducted a traffic stop on a white Buick LaSabre traveling west on State Route 14. The deputy reported observing the vehicle cross the yellow center line twice and the fog line once before initiating the stop.
The driver and passenger, identified as Jazmine Baker, were contacted during the stop.
After the driver consented to a search of his person and the vehicle, Deputy Ryan asked Baker to exit the car. A purse located on the passenger-side floorboard was identified as belonging to Baker, and she granted permission for it to be searched.
Inside the purse, Deputy Ryan located a clear plastic baggie containing a white crystallized substance, along with an orange pill bottle holding similar residue. Both items field‑tested positive for methamphetamine. Baker and the driver were detained while the vehicle was further searched, though no additional contraband was found.
Deputies advised Baker of her Miranda rights. She reportedly confirmed the purse was hers and stated that the methamphetamine belonged to her. During a later interview at the Sheriff’s Office, Baker also acknowledged consuming methamphetamine by ingesting it. A TruNarc Analyzer test later confirmed the substance as methamphetamine.
Based on the investigation, deputies determined there was probable cause to arrest Baker on suspicion of Possession of a Controlled Substance.
