By Joe Bachman

Multiple criminal charges have been filed for a trio, including possession of amphetamine with intent and possession of an illegal firearm.

Jesse Gardner, 33, and Adam Provost, 27, are charged with posession of amphetamines with intent to sell, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Doua Moua, 32, faces charges of possession of a short barreled shotgun and bail jumping.

According to police reports, on Jun. 7, an officer spotted a van with an inoperable center high-mounted stop-lamp, and tinted windows. The officer initiated a traffic stop and identified the driver as Provost, with passengers Gardner and Moua.

As soon as the officer called in the traffic stop, he noticed that Gardner and Provost looked down and made movement towards the floorboard of the vehicle. This was believed to be an attempt to conceal items from the officer’s view.

A K-9 unit was brought out for a perimeter sniff of the vehicle and indicated positive for illegal substances inside. Everyone in the vehicle denied that there were any illegal substances contained inside. Further inspection uncovered a small black tackle box. After opening the tackle box officers found a small gem bag containing a white crystalline substance believed to be methamphetamine.

Officers also found a green pipe with residue on the inside, two other clear glass pipes with a powdery residue on them, a digital scale, and a larger Ziploc bag containing smaller gem packs believed to be used to transport and deliver illegal drugs.

Also found was a bag that sat next to Moua containing a sawed off shotgun and shotgun shells, believed to be his.

In an interview, Provost allegedly admitted that he purchased the tackle box containing the substances found. Moua was charged with disorderly conduct on May 23, and was out on bond not to commit any further crimes.

If convicted, both Gardner and Provost face up to 12 years and six months imprisonment as past repeat offenders, and up to $25,000 in fines. Moua faces up to three years and six months imprisonment for his charges.

Gardner and Provost will face a jury on Aug. 17, while Moua will be in court for an arraignment on Jun. 27. All three are currently out on bond.