BEDFORD – A man and woman were arrested on drug charges Tuesday, May 23rd when a Bedford Police Department officer saw the driver of a red Ford Explorer make a right turn from 24th Street to turn north onto Mitchell Road.
As the driver of the Explorer began traveling north on Mitchell Road, the driver immediately slammed on the brakes and made a U-turn, crossing all four lanes of Mitchell Road and then proceeding to go back east on 24th Street.
The officer got behind the vehicle and noticed the temporary license plate taped to the left side of the tailgate. This temporary license plate had a plastic covering and there was water condensation between the license plate and the plastic making it illegible.
The officer stopped the vehicle at the intersection of 24th and H streets
In the vehicle was the driver 39-year-old James Barber, of Florida, and his passenger 32-year-old Breanna Pearson, of Bedford.
The officers asked if there were any weapons or illegal drugs in the vehicle.
Barber advised “no, however he was posturing himself up in the seat, attempting to block me from looking in,” the officer wrote in the probable cause affidavit.
The officer then asked for consent to search the vehicle. Barber granted permission.
During the search of the vehicle, the officer found multiple used syringes in a backpack. The syringes tested positive for meth. Police also found two smoking devices and additional used syringes. Officers located a loaded Taurus G2C 9mm handgun wedged between the driver’s seat and center console, an extended magazine to the Taurus G2C in the rear seat of the vehicle, syringes, and a digital scale inside the bed of the truck. Officers also found a contact lens container belonging to Parson that tested positive for meth.
Barber was arrested on charges of possession of meth with a firearm, unlawful possession of a syringe and possession of drug paraphernalia, and carrying a handgun without a license.
Parson was arrested on charges of possession of meth, unlawful possession of a syringe, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
If you know something, say something. Send an email to drugactivity@lawrencecounty.in.gov or call the Lawrence County Prosecutor’s Office tip line at 812-545-4700. All calls are confidential.
