BEDFORD – A traffic stop initiated by Lawrence County Police on Wednesday led to the arrest of a Bedford man on methamphetamine and paraphernalia charges. Elias James Bartlett, 23, of Bedford, was taken into custody after officers located a glass smoking device with suspected meth during the encounter.
According to Detective M. Williams’ probable cause affidavit, Sheriff G. Day, Major J.A. Blackburn, and Detective Williams were stationary behind a gas station in the 300 block of Lincoln Avenue, attempting to locate a male with outstanding warrants. A white 2008 Dodge Ram Mega Cab pickup truck, matching the description of a vehicle known to contain the wanted subject, turned into the gas station’s parking lot.
Officers observed the driver, Elias Bartlett, fail to signal his turn from the roadway into the parking lot. Three individuals were in the front seat, with the front passenger matching a description similar to the wanted individual known to associate with Bartlett.
A traffic stop was conducted in the gas station’s fueling area. As Bartlett exited the vehicle, he disregarded commands to walk toward the front of the truck and began reaching toward his waistband. Detective Williams then grabbed Bartlett and placed him against the truck while Major Blackburn assisted with hand restraints. At that moment, Sheriff Day observed a glass smoking device containing a white crystal substance on the rear bumper of the truck, where Bartlett had been reaching.
The white crystal substance field-tested positive for methamphetamine. Bartlett was subsequently arrested and transported to the Lawrence County Security Center without incident.
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This article is based on the information provided in the Probable Cause Affidavit and does not represent a final determination of guilt or innocence.
