By Jim Clark

While on duty for the Somerville Police Gang Unit, officers operating an unmarked cruiser conducting a directed patrol in the area of Mt. Vernon Street observed a man operating a vehicle who appeared to be texting while driving. The officers conducted a motor vehicle stop at the intersection of Mt. Vernon and Perkins Streets.

As the officers approached the operator, they reportedly could smell the odor of unburnt marijuana emanating from the interior of the vehicle.

The officers noticed that the driver, later identified as Steven Guevara, of Jamaica Plain, was holding on to one cell phone, with a second cell phone resting on the center console next to a small stack of cash.

The officers advised Guevara of the reason of the stop, to which he replied that he was using the phone’s GPS so he could get to his friend’s house.

After running a check on Guevara’s license information, the officers were advised that the license had a suspended status.

The officers informed Guevara of his license status, ordered him out of the vehicle, and requested that he sit on the sidewalk. They told Guevara that they could smell marijuana from inside the vehicle, and that he could be arrested for driving with a suspended license. Guevara reportedly stated that he only had a “dime” bag in the car, and that it was inside the center console.

Despite the fact Guevara stopped his vehicle in an awkward position, blocking the driveway to an apartment building on Perkins St. and a partial lane on Perkins St., the officers offered Guevara the opportunity to phone someone who may be close by to take possession of his vehicle rather than have it towed.

Guevara reportedly requested that he call his brother, and asked for his red cell phone from inside vehicle. He was handed his phone, and the officers requested that his brother provide them with an estimated time of arrival, as they would not be able to leave the vehicle positioned the way it was for very long.

Guevara stated that his brother would need at least 20 minutes, due to the fact he was coming from Jamaica Plain. The officers advised him that 20 minutes was too long, and an inventory of the vehicle’s contents was conducted, at which time a pouch containing several plastic bags, some of which had cut or ripped corners, a digital scale, and a large bag containing a white powdery substance believed to be cocaine was located.

Guevara was then asked where his friend lived that he was going to visit and he reportedly gave a Crescent St. location. The officers questioned Guevara further, asking him to identify the friend he intended to visit. He reportedly gave a first name but reportedly could not provide the last name.

At this point, Guevara was placed into custody and transport for booking was requested.

While awaiting the arrival of the transport wagon, Guevara reportedly told the officers that two additional bags of cocaine were located in his groin area. The bags were retrieved and secured as evidence.

While at the police station, the three bags were weighed and registered a preliminary weight of 20 grams, 3.5 grams, and 3 grams. The officers field tested the white powdery substance which yielded a positive result for cocaine.

Guevara was taken in and booked on charges of operator improper use of mobile phone, operation of a motor vehicle with a suspended license, and trafficking in cocaine.