Bibb County Sheriff’s K9 Deputy Sanderson was patrolling I-475 near Thomaston Road around 10:00PM Wednesday night when he noticed a silver vehicle passing two other vehicles. The vehicle appeared to be traveling at a speed higher than the posted speed limit which is 75mph. Deputy Sanderson checked the speed of the vehicle which was traveling at 80mph and he initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle.
As Deputy Sanderson approached the vehicle he could smell the strong odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. As the deputy engaged in conversation with the driver, telling her who he was and why he stopped her, he observed a butane torch and bong used for smoking marijuana, in view from outside the vehicle. As the deputy continued his investigation and search of the vehicle, he found fifteen pounds of marijuana, 100 Xanax Pills, Marijuana Butter known as “DAB”, various other drug paraphernalia items and a semi-automatic handgun. Drug Investigators from the Bibb County Sheriff’s Special Investigations Unit were called out to assist the deputy.
The deputy arrested the driver, 40 year old Heather Hefner, from Evansville Indiana and the passenger, 46 year old Gilberto Acevedo-Perez, from Orlando Florida. Hefner was charged with speeding, possession of Marijuana, possession of schedule III drugs, possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony, possession of schedule I drugs and trafficking illegal drugs. Acevedo-Perez was charged with possession of Marijuana, possession of schedule III drugs, possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony, possession of schedule I drugs and trafficking illegal drugs.
Both Hefner and Acevedo-Perez were transported to the Bibb County Law Enforcement Center and booked on the charges. When Hefner was searched at the jail, deputies found $3,150.00 in cash hid inside her under clothing. The drugs and money were turned into the Bibb County Sheriff’s Crime Lab. Bond was denied on both.