RAPID CITY, S.D. – A Rapid City man was arrested on Friday following a traffic stop that led to the discovery of cocaine and a loaded handgun.
At approximately 4:40 p.m. on August 1, a Rapid City Police Department officer initiated a traffic stop on a Chevrolet SUV near the intersection of Rapp Street and North Lacrosse Street for failing to stop at a stop sign.
During the stop, the officer detected the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. The driver, identified as 36-year-old Leroy Hemphill of Rapid City, was asked to exit the SUV.
A subsequent search of Hemphill’s person led to the discovery of a baggie containing a white substance that field-tested positive for cocaine. Police also located a loaded handgun. A records check revealed Hemphill had a prior felony conviction.
Hemphill was arrested and transported to the Pennington County Jail. He faces charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of a Loaded Firearm by a Former Violent Offender.