Omaha man charged after GI traffic stop finds meth, weapons

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. — An Omaha man faces multiple charges after meth and weapons were found in his vehicle during a Grand Island traffic stop Monday night.

Charles Crawford, 48, is charged in Hall County Court with one count of possession of a controlled substance (meth) with intent to distribute, two counts of possession of a deadly weapon in commission of a felony and three counts of possession of a deadly weapon by a prohibited person.

According to an arrest affidavit, around 7 p.m. Monday, a Hall County Sheriff’s deputy conducted a traffic stop on a black 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche driven by Crawford near the intersection of 13th and Elm Streets in Grand Island due to having an obstructed license plate.

Upon contacting Crawford, the deputy ordered him out of the vehicle and located a Taurus G2S 9mm semi-automatic handgun in one pocket and a loaded Ruger P85 9mm semi-automatic handgun in another pocket.

The deputy observed a vacuum seal bag containing meth in plain view in the front passenger seat.

A probable cause of the vehicle later found 412 grams of meth in four separate bags, a scale, baggies, a meth pipe, two fabric handgun holsters, a magazine for the Ruger P85, a 4-inch knife, a Heritage Rough Rider .22 revolver and $40 in cash.

On Tuesday, a judge set Crawford's bond at 10% of $350,000. He is scheduled to appear in Hall County Court for arraignment at 10 a.m. June 21.