Branch County traffic stop leads to drug arrest

UNION TOWNSHIP, MI (WTVB) – A Labor Day weekend traffic stop in Branch County led to the arrest of the female driver on drug charges. 49-year-old Dawn Marie Simmons was arrested Saturday morning after a traffic stop led to the discovery of suspected methamphetamine and hallucinogenic mushrooms. According to a press release from Branch County Undersheriff Jason Bingaman, a deputy pulled over a black 2011 Kia Forte around 8:39 a.m., near the intersection of Dunks Road and Arbogast Road. A subsequent search of the vehicle uncovered suspected controlled substances and drug paraphernalia. Field tests conducted at the scene returned positive results for both methamphetamine and psilocybin, prompting deputies to take the driver into custody. She was transported and booked into the Branch County Jail without incident on charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of hallucinogens. Undersheriff Bingaman emphasized that the Sheriff's Office remains actively committed to investigating drug-related activity and removing dangerous substances from local streets to hold offenders accountable.