(FORT RITNER) – On Thursday, Oct. 31, the Indiana State Police Bloomington District A.C.E.S. (Aggressive Criminal Enforcement Section) and the Indiana State Police DES conducted a patrol in the Fort Ritner and Tunnelton areas after having received multiple tips from concerned citizens of drug activity in those areas.
While there, Sgt. Greg Day observed a white, 2013 Ford Focus traveling with a license plate that returned as BMV status “inactive”.
Sgt. Day conducted a traffic stop near Leesville Road.
While speaking with the male driver, 41-year-old Michael Jason Chastain, of Salem, Sgt. Day observed indicators of criminal activity.
After Troopers Caleb Garvin and Richard Klun arrived to assist with the stop, Trooper Klun deployed his canine, Loki, who gave a positive alert to illegal controlled substances in the vehicle.
During a search of the vehicle. troopers found approximately 14 grams of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and a loaded handgun. The gun had been reported stolen out of Shelby County.
Chastain was arrested and incarcerated at the Lawrence County Jail on felony charges of dealing meth over 10 grams, possession of meth over grams with a handgun and a misdemeanor charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.
Anyone with illegal drug information is encouraged to contact the Indiana State Police Bloomington Post at 812-332-4411.
