BEDFORD – A Mitchell man was arrested on Saturday night after a Bedford Police officer stopped a white Jeep Cherokee traveling north on Plaza Drive.
The officer stopped the driver for failing to utilize a turn signal to make a lane change on Plaza Drive into the turn lane before turning into McDonald’s.
The driver was 61-year-old Jerry Tanksley.
Tanksley was told by officers he would only be issued a warning for the infraction, however Tanksley continued to demonstrate extreme nervousness.
Officers then asked Tanksley permission to search his person and vehicle.
In Tansksley’s pocket the officer located a plastic baggie containing multiple plastic baggies all of which contained crystal meth.
Tanksley was then detained.
In his back pocket officers found a cut drinking straw containing meth residue.
During a search of the vehicle, police found two additional plastic baggies both containing crystal meth and a cigarette pack that contained a like substance. One of the baggies was located in a cigarette pack in the front passenger seat, and the other was located inside of a folded up store receipt that was located in the middle console.
Police recovered approximately 9.17 grams of meth.
When asked if Tanksley intended on selling the methamphetamine, initially he denied doing so and stated that it was for personal use. He then confessed his intentions were to “drop some off.”
Tanksley would not tell police who he was “dropping off” the drugs to.
Jerry Tanksley, was arrested on charges of possession of meth between 5 and 10 grams, dealing meth between 5 to 10 grams, and 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.
