BPD makes traffic stop for failure to use signal and make drug arrest

BEDFORD – A Bedford man was arrested on Monday, October 17th at 11:21 p.m. after a Bedford Police officer stopped a black 2003 Chevrolet Impala after the officer witnessed the driver fail to use a turn signal while turning on 12th Street from U Street.

Jeremiah Goen

Officers spoke to the driver 35-year-old Jeremiah Goen and asked for his driver’s license. While Goen was retrieving his license, an officer noticed he was “taking quick shallow breaths and that his hands started to tremble”. The officer asked Goen why he was so nervous and Goen told the officer he didn’t have a valid driver’s license.

Officers confirmed Goen’s license had been suspended and he had a prior conviction for driving while his driver’s license was suspended.

Officers then asked Goen if there was anything illegal in the vehicle. Goen told police the vehicle did not belong to him.

Goen was asked to step out of the vehicle and asked for consent to search the vehicle. Goen told the officers he “couldn’t give consent because it was not his vehicle”. As Goen stepped out of the vehicle he said, “You go ahead and do what you gotta do. I don’t give a f***, because I’m on probation and going back to jail anyways”.

As an officer was patting down Goen they found a knife, a glass smoking pipe and a baggie containing crystal meth in his pocket. 

Goen was detained. 

Goen replied he had grabbed the “chicken bone and placed it in his pocket because he would own up to it and not let anyone else get in trouble but him”, when officers asked if there was anything else in the vehicle.

In a backpack in the vehicle, officers found a digital scale with meth residue and several plastic baggies containing meth residue.

The vehicle was towed by Mikels Towing and Goen was transported to jail on charges of driving while his driver’s license was suspended with a prior conviction, possession of meth, 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.