LAWRENCE CO. – A Bedford man with a prior serious violent felony conviction was arrested on multiple felony drug and firearm charges following a traffic stop on State Road 37.
According to a probable cause affidavit filed by Indiana State Police Trooper Caleb B. Garvin, the incident occurred at approximately 3:02 p.m. on Thursday, April 29. Trooper Garvin and Sergeant Joshua Allen of the ISP Drug Enforcement Section were observing Bradley Edward Crawford, 54, of Bedford, operating a white BMW. Knowing Crawford’s driver’s license was suspended from previous law enforcement contact, they watched him pull into a Revere’s Gas Station.
After Crawford left the gas station and traveled onto State Road 450 and then State Road 37, Trooper Ben Burris initiated a traffic stop for driving while suspended. As Crawford exited the vehicle, Trooper Burris asked if he had any weapons. Crawford initially stated “no” but then allegedly retrieved a loaded silver .380 Auto handgun from his back right pants pocket and handed it over to the trooper. The handgun had one round in the chamber and three in the magazine.
Shortly after the stop, Captain Andrew Phillips of the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office and his K9 partner Scout arrived to assist. Scout gave a positive alert on the vehicle during a free air sniff. A subsequent search of the car by Troopers Burris and Jesse Crane allegedly yielded approximately 20 grams of crystal meth. Meth was found separated into two plastic bags inside a black bag on the passenger seat. Also in the black bag was a glass smoking device with meth residue.
Sergeant Allen advised Crawford of his Miranda Warning, and Crawford reportedly admitted to possessing the drug, stating a small bag was in the black bag. Due to the quantity of meth (between 10 and 28 grams) and the presence of a firearm, Crawford faces an enhanced charge.
Further investigation revealed that Crawford is a convicted serious violent felon, having been convicted of dealing methamphetamine as a Class B felony in Greene County on April 25, 2012.
Crawford was detained on charges of possession of meth, a Level 3 felony, possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, a Level 4 felony, unlawful Carrying of a handgun, a Level 5 felony and possession of drug paraphernalia, a Class C misdemeanor.
An affidavit of probable cause outlines the investigating officer’s belief that a crime has been committed. Criminal charges are accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
