A routine traffic stop for an obscured license plate cover in Chattooga County led to the arrest of a local man on methamphetamine possession charges and an active felony probation violation warrant.

Charles Madison Champion, 58, was taken into custody on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, after a Chattooga County Sheriff’s deputy discovered suspected methamphetamine in his wallet and confirmed an outstanding warrant against him.

According to a report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Jared Wilks was patrolling Highway 27 near Walmart around 4:30 p.m. when he observed a silver F-150 pickup truck with a license plate cover that obscured both the state and county information on the vehicle’s registration.

Deputy Wilks initiated a traffic stop, which concluded in the parking lot of Coffman’s Funeral Home. Upon approaching the vehicle, the deputy identified the driver as Mark Lucas, who was noted in the report as a registered sex offender on felony probation. Lucas reportedly acknowledged the traffic violation and agreed to remove the tag cover.

During the interaction, Deputy Wilks observed that the passenger, later identified as Charles Champion, appeared nervous and avoided making eye contact. When asked for his name, the passenger identified himself as Charles Champion.

A subsequent check by the deputy through the warrants database revealed an active felony probation violation warrant for Champion. A GDC canine officer, identified as Mitcham, arrived on scene to provide assistance.

Champion was asked to exit the vehicle, which he did without incident. When questioned if there was anything illicit in the vehicle, Champion allegedly responded, “there is a little bit in my wallet.” Deputy Wilks then retrieved Champion’s wallet from the vehicle. Inside, he reportedly located two small clear plastic bags containing a crystal-like substance, suspected to be methamphetamine, within the wallet’s small pockets.

Champion was immediately placed under arrest and secured in the patrol unit. Chattooga County 911 verified the warrant was active, and the detention center confirmed they wished to place a hold on Champion.

Champion was subsequently transported to the Chattooga County Detention Center without incident, where he was booked on the outstanding warrant and charged with possession of methamphetamine. The driver, Mark Lucas, was issued a warning for the tag cover and released from the scene.