Police: Man reached for gun during traffic stop

FARMINGTON — A 41-year-old Farmington man made an initial court appearance today on allegations he attempted to draw a pistol on a policeman during a traffic stop Saturday.

Police found methamphetamine and more than 150 rounds of ammunition in the man's vehicle after his arrest, according to an arrest warrant affidavit.

Jordan Carter was charged Wednesday in Farmington Magistrate Court with methamphetamine trafficking, aggravated assault on a peace officer, felon in possession of a firearm and two misdemeanors.

He was being held on a $100,000 bond, according to court records. He has not retained legal representation, records state.

A Farmington police officer was on patrol Saturday when he spotted a vehicle speed through a stop light at San Juan Boulevard and Tucker Avenue, according to the arrest warrant affidavit.

The officer stopped the vehicle and noted the driver, identified as Carter, appeared nervous, the affidavit states. Carter provided the officer a Georgia driver's license, and the officer spotted a box of ammunition on the passenger side floorboard, according to the affidavit.

Carter denied he had a weapon, but the officer asked him to step out of the vehicle, the affidavit states.

The officer then noted Carter dropped a bag filled with a white powder on the floorboard, according to the affidavit. The officer saw a pistol next to the bag, and Carter allegedly attempted to grab the weapon, according to the affidavit. The officer drew his gun and "began to pull the trigger," the affidavit states, but Carter leaped from the vehicle empty handed, the affidavit states.

Carter got on his knees and placed his hands behind his head, according to the affidavit, but continued to ignore the officer's orders until other officers arrived at the scene.

Police searched the vehicle and identified the gun as a 9 millimeter pistol, the affidavit states. Officers also found 168 rounds of ammunition, a digital scale, a glass pipe and two bags that contained a total of 16.81 grams of methamphetamine.

Carter admitted in an interview with police that he sold narcotics, according to the affidavit.

Steve Garrison covers crime and courts for The Daily Times. He can be reached at 505-564-4644.