MURFREESBORO – A Conway man was arrested here Christmas morning after a routine speeding stop turned into much more.

According to Murfreesboro Police Chief Darrell Rowe, Patrolman Daniel Vaughan was making the stop.

&uot;As he approached the vehicle,&uot; Rowe said, &uot;he saw what he believed to be marijuana seeds.&uot;

Deputy Kenny Sowles of the Hertford County Sheriff’s Office assisted Vaughan in the search of the vehicle and the officers recovered what appeared to be both marijuana and crack cocaine.

&uot;While performing the search,&uot; Rowe said. &uot;The officers found a Astra .9mm handgun under the front seat.

&uot;As the officers were bumping the front door of the car, they noticed a rattle,&uot; Rowe said. &uot;The investigation into the cause of the noise led them to pop off the door cover from the inside and there they found a .25 caliber Excam handgun.&uot;

Walton, 21, has been charged with possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a concealed weapon.

He was taken to the Murfreesboro Police Department where he was later transferred to Hertford County Jail and placed under a $17,000 secured bond.

&uot;I would like to commend Patrolman Vaughan,&uot; Rowe said. &uot;His professionalism and ability to think on his feet and make quick and sure decisions are the reasons the guns were found as well as the substances we believe to be illegal narcotics.

&uot;I would also like to thank the Hertford County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance. Knowing you have capable back up such as Deputy Sowles is a good feeling for an officer who finds him or herself in a position like this,&uot; Rowe concluded.