BEDFORD – A Mitchell man was arrested on Thursday, May 16, on drug charges after a Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department deputy stopped his vehicle for a traffic violation.
Richard Simmerman, 52, Mitchell, was arrested on charges of possession of a legend drug, possession of marijuana, and operating a vehicle while never receiving a driver’s license.
Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Andrew Tillett was parked on State Road 450 in Bedford when he spotted a 2000 Chevrolet Silverado pulling out of Revere’s Food & Fuel with an expired license plate. He caught up to the vehicle at the intersection of State Road 37 and 29th Street and conducted a traffic stop.
He informed Simmerman about the expired license plate and then requested his driver’s license. He admitted he didn’t have a valid license. Deputy Tillett learned Simmerman had never had a valid driver’s license.
Deputy Tillett said Simmerman appeared to be impaired and requested a search of the vehicle.
During the search, police found a lunchbox that contained marijuana and a smoking device. There was also an orange metal container that had four pills – Buprenorphine Hydrochloride and Naloxone Hydrochloride. Simmerman did not have a valid prescription for the drugs.
Simmerman performed a SoToxa test. SoToxa is a handheld analyzer that uses an oral fluid swab to detect the presence of six kinds of drugs: cocaine, methamphetamine, opiates, cannabis (THC), amphetamine, and benzodiazepines.
He tested positive for marijuana.
Simmerman agreed to a blood draw and was transported to IU Health Bedford Hospital. A friend took possession of Simmerman’s vehicle.
Simmerman was arrested and given a written warning for the expired license plate. A charge of operating a vehicle while intoxicated on marijuana is pending the results of the blood test.
