Charlestown Man Charged With Possession of Cocaine

According to South Kingstown police, Carl R. Gross, 52, was found with cocaine after a traffic stop when his van was swerving.

By Stephen Greenwell Editor of the Narragansett-South Kingstown Patch  

Unless otherwise noted, information about the following incidents was supplied by the South Kingstown Police Department. An arrest does not indicate a conviction.

Carl R. Gross, 52, of 4414 Old Post Road, Charlestown, was arrested at about 12:30 a.m. on Jan. 18 and charged with:

• Felony drug possession (cocaine)
• Drunken driving
• Possession of marijuana
• Driving without a license
• Driving while in the presence of alcohol
• Driving while in possession of a controlled substance

According to police, an officer traveling on Route 1 near Jerry Brown Farm Road saw a Dodge Caravan in front of him swerving from the travel lane to the breakdown lane several times. A traffic stop was first attempted near Moonstone Beach Road, with police noting that the van dropped down to 25 miles per hour and continued for a quarter of a mile before pulling over.

Police said Gross smelled strongly of alcohol, and they noted an open bag on the backseat which had a smaller bag with what appeared to be marijuana sticking out of it.

According to police, Gross failed field sobriety tests, at which point he was arrested. Police said Gross admitted to having marijuana in the van, and also that he did not have a medical marijuana card.

Police said a search of the van revealed several bottles of alcohol, including an open cup in the center console that appeared to contain whiskey. Police said a further search of the bag from the backseat revealed a small plastic baggie with a white powder that tested positive as cocaine.

According to police, Gross consented to chemical breath tests, claiming, “I’m not that drunk” and “I can’t be that drunk.” Police said Gross’ alcohol level tested at .226 at 1:41 a.m. and .218 at 1:43 a.m.

Police said Gross was held for arraignment at Fourth Division District Court at 9 a.m. According to online records, his next court appearance is scheduled for Feb. 26 for felony screening, and he has arrests dating back to 1992.

• In September 2011, Gross pleaded no contest to a Charlestown police charge of driving with an expired license. He was ordered to pay a fine.
• In July 2011, a South Kingstown police charge of possession of marijuana was dismissed.
• In September 2006, Gross pleaded no contest to a South Kingstown police charge of felony drug possession and possession of marijuana. He was ordered to complete 100 hours of community service, substance abuse counseling and 18 months probation. In return for his pleas, additional charges of  felony drug possession and driving in possession of a controlled substance were dismissed.
• In October 1997, Gross pleaded no contest to a Narragansett police charge of driving with a suspended license. He was ordered to serve a year of probation and to pay a fine.
• In June 1996, an East Providence police charge of driving without a license was dismissed.
• In April 1992, Gross pleaded no contest to a West Warwick police charge of possession of marijuana. He was ordered to serve a year of probation and to make a donation to the Violent Crimes Indemnity Fund. In return for his plea, additional charges of manufacturing drug paraphernalia and violating the cigarette stamp tax were dismissed.