Traffic stop lands two men in jail on meth charges

HENRY CO. – On Wednesday, February 28, a trooper from the Pendleton District arrested two New Castle men for possession of methamphetamine and possession of syringes after being stopped for an equipment violation.

At approximately 12:30 am, Trooper J.T. Burns stopped a vehicle on Grand Avenue near 25th Street in New Castle for an expired license plate. Trooper Burns spoke to the driver, who identified himself as Tyler M. Ward, 39, of New Castle, Indiana. There was also a front seat passenger, who identified himself as William Ramon Wooten, 52, of New Castle. During the traffic stop, Trooper Burns noticed indicators of criminal activity and requested assistance from the New Castle Police Department, Henry County Sergeant T.J. Davis, and his canine partner, Amore. 

K9 Amore conducted an open-air sniff around the vehicle and gave a positive indication of the presence of narcotics in the car. Officers asked both men to exit the vehicle, and after establishing probable cause, a search was conducted. During the search, officers found methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

Upon further investigation, Trooper Burns determined that Ward was driving on a suspended license with a prior conviction. Both men were placed under arrest and transported to the Henry County Jail without incident.

Ward is facing charges of possession of meth, driving while his driver’s license was suspended, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Wooten is facing a charge of possession of meth.