What started as a routine traffic stop for a turn-signal violation quickly turned into a trip to jail after a passenger allegedly gave deputies a fake name, a fake Social Security number, and then admitted he was wanted.
The incident began when a deputy stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation.
As officers gathered identification from everyone inside the vehicle, one passenger immediately stood out.
According to the report, the rear-seat passenger claimed he did not have identification and identified himself as “Eddie Petty.”
When deputies attempted to verify the information, they hit a dead end.
No record could be found.
Thinking it might simply be a spelling issue or a mistake, the deputy gave the passenger another chance and asked for his Social Security number.
That didn’t help.
According to the report, the number came back to a completely different person—a 66-year-old man with another name entirely.
At that point, deputies suspected they weren’t getting the full story.
The passenger was removed from the vehicle and questioned further.
That’s when the truth reportedly came out.
According to investigators, the man admitted his real name was not the one he initially provided.
He also admitted he had an active warrant and had been wanted after allegedly running away from a rehabilitation facility.
The man was immediately taken into custody.
But the problems didn’t stop there.
Before being transported to jail, he asked deputies to bring his wallet along with him.
When officers checked the wallet before transport, they reportedly found a red cut straw containing a white residue.
The item was seized as evidence.
The incident occurred following a traffic stop near Chesapeake.
The man was transported to the Lawrence County Jail and booked on his outstanding warrant.
In addition, he was charged with escape, identity fraud, and possession of drug abuse instruments.
Why Giving a Fake Name Usually Makes Things Worse
Law enforcement officers say one of the most common mistakes wanted individuals make is providing false identification information during a traffic stop.
Modern databases allow officers to quickly verify names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, photographs, and criminal records.
What might have started as a warrant arrest can quickly turn into additional criminal charges if investigators determine someone intentionally provided false information.
In this case, deputies say a simple traffic stop became much more serious after the passenger allegedly gave officers a fake identity and a Social Security number belonging to someone else.
By the end of the stop, what began as a turn-signal violation had produced multiple criminal charges and an arrest.
