Police find meth, marijuana and paraphernalia, Mitchell man arrest made

BEDFORD – A Mitchell man was arrested early this morning after a Bedford Police officer on routine patrol noticed a teal Ford Ranger traveling south on State Road 37 with the license plate obstructed by a ball hitch mounted to its bumper.

Billy Kinser

The officer stopped the driver on State Road 37, south of Patrick Robbins Way.

The driver was identified as 34-year-old Billy Kinser, of Mitchell. Police say Kinser appeared to be shaking and nervous.

Kinser told the officer his driver’s license was suspended because he was not paying his child support. 

The officer then asked to search Kinser’s vehicle. Kinser told the officer the vehicle was not his, but finally allowed officers to search the vehicle. 

Kinser then admitted he had marijuana in the vehicle.

Officers found a black magnetic box behind the gear shift that contained crystal meth and additional empty baggies.

From a Coca-Cola can in the center console, police found a plastic baggie protruding from the mouth of the can that contained crystal meth. Kinser told officers he attempted to place the meth in the can after the officer activated his lights to stop his vehicle.

They also found a Crown Royal bag underneath the driver’s seat that contained a digital scale, metallic grinder containing marijuana, a glass smoking device and another plastic bag containing marijuana.

Police seized approximately 2.95  grams including the packaging of meth. Kinser was arrested on charges of possession of meth, obstruction of justice, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia.

If you know something, say something. Send an email to drugactivity@lawrencecounty.in.gov or call Lawrence County Prosecutor’s Office tip line at 812-545-4700. All calls are confidential.