A man was arrested in Ohio for having a hidden compartment in a vehicle and could face up to 18 months in prison, even though there was nothing in the compartment.
Just days before Thanksgiving, 30- year old Norman Gurley was pulled over for speeding, but Ohio State Troopers noticed wires running to the back of the car he was driving.
“During the search, they noticed some components inside the vehicle that did not appear to be factory,” Lt. Michael Combs told WKYC-TV.
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“…with knowledge that the hidden compartment is used or intended to be used to facilitate the unlawful concealment or transportation of a controlled substance.”
The above is his defense, if he can prove he didn’t know abut about the compartment.
The smell of marijuana in the car was probable cause for a search and the passenger was found to have some pot. Presumably, this lead to a more intense search of the car as I doubt the average trooper would notice “components inside the vehicle that did not appear to be factory” with a casual glance on the roadside.
The fact that the car with the elaborate secret compartment belongs to “a friend” and the passenger in the car had pot in his pocket makes me doubt the defense attorney’s claim that Gurley doesn’t have a record. You can tell alot about a person from the company he keeps.