KENTUCKY — A Louisville man is facing several drug and gun-related charges following a traffic stop in Bowling Green early Wednesday morning.
The Warren County Sheriff’s Office reported that deputies observed a vehicle traveling on Morgantown Road near Veterans Memorial Boulevard around 1 a.m. and conducted a traffic stop for a routine violation. While speaking with the occupants, deputies detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle.
The front passenger was identified as 23-year-old Lee Hartz of Louisville.
During a search of the vehicle, authorities say they found a loaded handgun, a backpack containing a digital scale with marijuana residue, 15 THC resin cartridges, and a small bag of marijuana. Hartz claimed ownership of the handgun and backpack but denied ownership of the THC cartridges.
A criminal history check revealed Hartz had active warrants and is a convicted felon for a prior robbery charge. He was arrested and taken to the Warren County Regional Jail.
Hartz faces charges including trafficking in marijuana (less than 8 ounces), first offense, possession of a handgun by a convicted felon, and drug paraphernalia – deliver/manufacture.
