BEDFORD — A Norman man faces multiple drug-related and impaired driving charges following a late-night traffic stop in Bedford after officers observed erratic driving and evasive behavior.
Joseph L. Moose, 47, was taken into custody early Friday morning, October 2, 2026, by the Bedford Police Department. He faces preliminary charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, operating a vehicle while intoxicated, OWI endangerment, OWI impairment, and OWI controlled substance.
According to a probable cause affidavit filed by Officer Clay Blackburn, officers first noted Moose’s white Dodge Stratus around 11:30 p.m. Thursday when he made sudden turns and stopped at an apartment complex, wandering around the property before leaving. Later at approximately 12:39 a.m., Officer Blackburn observed the vehicle cross solid white stop lines at two consecutive intersections—disregarding a stop sign at 14th and L Streets and a traffic signal at 15th and L Streets—before abruptly pulling into a car wash parking lot.
Upon initiating a traffic stop, Officer Blackburn detected the smell of burnt marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. During a search incident to arrest, officers located a container of plant material in Moose’s pocket that field-tested positive for marijuana, as well as a tin containing a metal tube with crystal residue that field-tested positive for methamphetamine.
Although Moose initially denied knowing about the methamphetamine residue, he later admitted to officers during field sobriety testing that he had recently used methamphetamine, marijuana, and Suboxone.
Officer Haluda administered standardized field sobriety tests, during which Moose displayed poor performance, including loss of balance, improper steps, and rapid eyelid tremors.
Moose consented to chemical testing and was transported to IU Health Bedford, where two blood samples were drawn for analysis by the Indiana State Department of Toxicology. He was subsequently remanded to the Lawrence County Jail, and his vehicle was impounded.
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.
