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Thomas pleaded not guilty in court Friday and his bond was set at $10,000.
The affidavit filed with the charge says Thomas had 695 grams of marijuana.
Springfield police began their investigation Thursday at around 6:45 p.m. when they were alerted that Thomas allegedly drove off intoxicated with three kids in the car, according to the affidavit. The caller said he had a large amount of marijuana and cocaine on him as well.
Officers were able to find Thomas driving a car near the intersection of North Bechtle Avenue and Maiden Lane. Officers pulled the vehicle over near the intersection of West North Street and North Western Avenue, according to the affidavit.
Officers said they requested to see Thomas’ identification and when he went to reach for it he exposed what they suspected to be drugs.
“While doing so (the officer) was able to see a plastic bag of marijuana in the front sweatshirt pocket that Mr. Thomas was wearing,” the affidavit says. “Officer Melvin could also smell a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from inside the vehicle.”
Thomas was asked to exit the vehicle and the baggy filled with a white substance was found on his person. Officers said they also located a child in the back seat and escorted the child to safety.
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Officers then searched the vehicle for more drugs.
“A further search of the vehicle found two large vacuum-sealed bags with marijuana inside of them both located in the trunk,” the affidavit says. “One of the bags was open and the other was still sealed.”
While at the jail officials conducted a sobriety test with Thomas, the affidavit says, and they determined he was intoxicated.
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