AVA, Mo. — A Douglas County man was arrested late Friday night after deputies reportedly found methamphetamine in his vehicle during a traffic stop near the Skyline area.
According to a probable cause statement filed by Sgt. Aaron Box of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, James Pickens was taken into custody on September 26, 2025, and faces a possible charge of possession of a controlled substance.
At approximately 10 p.m., Sgt. Box was patrolling near East State Highway 76 and State Highway C when he observed a dark-colored Chevrolet HHR traveling on County Road 126. After determining the driver was Pickens—who had an active warrant for his arrest—Box initiated a stop and took Pickens into custody.
After the vehicle was towed, Sgt. Box and Deputy James Pueppke conducted an inventory search. Deputies reportedly discovered two Ziploc baggies containing a white, crystal-like substance—one in the driver’s door and another beneath the driver’s seat cover. Field tests later confirmed the substance was methamphetamine.
Pickens denied knowledge of the drugs but admitted to using methamphetamine and acknowledged he would likely test positive.
Sgt. Box noted that Pickens has prior arrests for similar offenses, including unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia in 2017 and possession of a controlled substance in April 2025.
The case has been forwarded to the Douglas County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for review of formal charges.
