A York County K-9 unit assisted with two arrests on Sunday night after deputies stopped two drivers, one of whom was allegedly transporting drugs while driving under false license plates.
Deputy Alex Markellos initiated a traffic stop in Alfred on the evening of November 23 after he noticed that the driver, Jeffrey Hodgkins, 34, of Waterboro, was using license plates belonging to a different vehicle.
Deputy Cody Frazier soon joined Markellos with K-9 Rebel to assist in the investigation.
K-9 Rebel allegedly sniffed out illegal drugs in the vehicle, and a search of the car reportedly revealed methamphetamine and fentanyl.
Hodgkins was arrested and charged with unlawful possession of methamphetamine and unlawful possession of fentanyl. He was issued a $5,060 bail.
Following his arrest, deputies also submitted a request to the York County District Attorney’s Office to charge Hodgkins with attaching false plates.
While Markellos was still on patrol with Deputy Frazier and K-9 Rebel, he conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle operated by David Marsolais, 39, of Hollis, for an unspecified traffic violation.
During the stop, deputies ordered Marsolais to exit his vehicle so K-9 Rebel could conduct an exterior sniff inspection. He initially refused but eventually complied.
Deputies then attempted an investigative detention, but Marsolais allegedly balked, and he was arrested for refusing to submit to arrest or detention.
He was transported to the York County Jail and was subsequently released on bail.
The department’s press release notably failed to explain why Marsolais was initially asked to leave his vehicle or why he was detained.
