Mark Clayton, 68, of Warrenton, was charged with one count of second-degree drug trafficking and one count of the unlawful possession of a firearm, both felonies, stemming from a July 26 traffic stop. 

Clayton was also charged with the possession of drug paraphernalia, operating a motor vehicle in a reckless and imprudent manner and operating a motor vehicle without registration, all misdemeanors. 

According to the probable cause statement filed by Warren County Sheriff’s Deputy David Brown, he conducted a traffic stop on Clayton on WIld Turkey Creek Road at South State Highway 47 after Clayton swerved into the oncoming lane of traffic, nearly striking another vehicle. 

After Clayton failed to provide registration for the vehicle Brown conducted a probable cause search of the vehicle. 

According to the probable cause statement, Brown discovered a 9mm handgun, 34 rounds of ammunition, 31 grams of a crystalline substance that would test positive for methamphetamine, five tablets of cyclobenzaprine, a muscle relaxant and 40 tablets of methocarbamol, another muscle relaxant. 

The muscle relaxants were not prescribed to Clayton. Brown also discovered eight pipes commonly used to smoke methamphetamine, two of which contained methamphetamine residue, as well as $2,800 in cash. 

Brown also reported Clayton was on probation for third-degree domestic assault. 

A warrant was served for Clayton’s arrest and he is to be held without bond.