BEDFORD – A Terre Haute man with an active warrant was arrested in Bedford on Wednesday, June 4, after police located him in a vehicle and allegedly discovered a significant amount of methamphetamine, along with drug paraphernalia.
Bedford Police Sergeant Nick Crulo was patrolling near 14th and L Streets when he was notified by an Indiana State Police detective that Austin D. Goen, 30, was wanted and seated in a gold Honda Accord parked next to the Circle K on L Street. Sgt. Crulo located Goen, confirmed his identity, and detained him.
Upon verifying the active warrant, a search incident to arrest of Goen revealed a digital scale with methamphetamine residue in his pocket. The vehicle’s driver, a female, denied consent to search the car but pointed to a black zippered pouch in the passenger seat, stating it belonged to Goen and that he “usually had something on him.”
The pouch, which was in Goen’s seat, was opened, revealing a substantial amount of a crystal meth. After Goen was placed in a patrol vehicle, he reportedly stated in an “excited utterance” that the pouch and its contents belonged to him. After being read his Miranda Warning, Goen further admitted the substance was “drugs” and estimated its weight at “approximately three ounces.”
During the incident, Captain Emmons located a black tube with marijuana, claimed by the driver to belong to her mother. A used hypodermic needle containing fentanyl was also found in the woman’s purse. She admitted to previous heroin use and stated the syringe appeared to contain heroin. An infant child was also present in the vehicle and released to a family member. The probable cause affidavit does not state that the woman was detained.
The crystal-like substance from Goen’s pouch weighed approximately 88 grams, including packaging, and field-tested positive for methamphetamine. The pouch also contained multiple plastic baggies, wrapping papers, a spoon, two cut straws with meth residue, and a glass jar with meth residue.
Goen was transported to the Lawrence County Jail and remanded, facing preliminary charges of dealing methamphetamine over 10 grams and possession of methamphetamine over 28 grams. Authorities noted that Goen was currently on probation or parole for a prior felony conviction.
A Probable Cause Affidavit outlines the initial findings and allegations that led to an arrest. Criminal charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
